(SONG) By mid-day the vast square in front of St.Peter's Basilica was packed with people.

VOA: standard.2010.03.28

In the Italian capital, Rome, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated with a vespers service in St Peter's Basilica to give thanks for 2012 and look ahead to 2013.

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Guernsey's lifeboat in St Peter Port dealt with 21 call outs, while Alderney's lifeboat launched 24 times.

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For his part, Pope Francis will begin the Church's most important liturgical season on Sunday with a Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square.

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