The Holy Father started the Mass at St Peter's Basilica by walking in darkness down the aisle.
Complete silence was held as the pontiff made his way to the Altar to start his Easter celebrations.
In the service Francis urged people to think about the Easter mystery and find their own answer to the challenges of faith.
Later he baptised 10 people from Italy, Portugal, Albania, Kenya and Cambodia.
Today the pontiff will lead Easter Sunday mass before giving his "Urbi et Orbi" message which is expected to focus heavily on the persecution of Christians around the world.
On Good Friday he denounced the "complicit silence" of the world to massacres committed against believers.