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       With nearly 60% of the ballot boxes counted, incumbent Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, of the Republican People's Party, or CHP, was leading in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and economic hub, according to state broadcaster TRT.

       Mansur Yavas, the mayor of the capital Ankara, retained his seat with a large margin, the results indicated.

       The CHP was leading in 36 of Turkey's 81 provinces, according to the results reported by TRT.

       The vote was seen as a barometer of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s popularity as he sought to win back control of key urban areas he lost to the opposition in elections five years ago.

       The CHP's victory in Ankara and Istanbul in 2019 over Erdogan's AKP had shattered his aura of invincibility. A six-party opposition alliance that was led by CHP disintegrated after it failed to oust Erdogan in last year's election, unable to capitalize on the economic crisis and the government’s initially poor response to last year's devastating earthquake that killed more than 53,000 people.

       Yet, in Sunday's vote, Imamoglu — a popular figure touted as a possible future challenger to Erdogan — still ran without the support of some of the parties that helped him to victory in 2019. Both the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party and the nationalist IYI Party fielded their own candidates in the race.

       Some 61 million people, including more than a million first-time voters, were eligible to cast ballots for all metropolitan municipalities, town and district mayorships as well as neighbourhood administrations.

       Turnout was around 76%, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, compared to 87% last year.

       Analysts said a strong showing for Erdogan’s party would have hardened his resolve to usher in a new constitution — one that would reflect his conservative values and allow him to rule beyond 2028 when his current term ends.

       Erdogan, who has presided over Turkey for more than two decades — as prime minister since 2003 and president since 2014 — has been advocating for a new constitution that would put family values at the forefront.

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       In his Easter blessing, Pope Francis made a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.

       The 87-year-old pontiff presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual roundup of global crises.

       In between, he made several loops around the piazza in his popemobile, greeting well-wishers.

       “Peace is never made with weapons, but with outstretched hands and open hearts,” Francis said from the loggia overlooking the square, to applause from the wind-swept crowd below.

       Francis appeared in good form, despite having celebrated a two-and-a-half-hour nighttime Easter Vigil just hours before.

       The pontiff, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling respiratory problems all winter and his full participation in Easter services was not entirely guaranteed, especially after he skipped the traditional Good Friday procession.

       A view of St. Peter's Square at The Vatican during the Easter Sunday mass celebrated by Pope Francis, Sunday, March 31, 2024Alessandra Tarantino/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

       Following the Mass, more people packed into the Via della Conciliazione boulevard leading to the piazza.

       At the start of the service, a gust of wind knocked over a large religious icon on the altar just a few feet from the pope; ushers quickly righted it.

       Vatican ushers raise the icon of the holy savior as Pope Francis celebrates Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.Alessandra Tarantino/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

       The Mass precedes the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing, in which the pope traditionally offers a laundry list of the threats afflicting humanity.

       Pope Francis skips Good Friday event to preserve health Holy Easter Saturday celebrated across Europe

       This year, Francis said his thoughts went particularly to people in Ukraine and Gaza and all those facing war, particularly the children who he said had “forgotten how to smile.”

       “In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the sake of all!” he said.

       He called for the “prompt” release of prisoners taken from Israel on 7 October, an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for humanitarian access to reach Palestinians.

       “Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population, by now at the limit of its endurance, and above all on the children,” he said in a speech that also touched on the plight of Haitians, the Rohingya and victims of human trafficking.

       Pope Francis waves faithful after celebrating Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.Alessandra Tarantino/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

       Easter Mass is one of the most important dates on the liturgical calendar, celebrating what the faithful believe was Jesus’ resurrection after his crucifixion.

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       Pope Francis presided over the Vatican's sombre Easter Vigil service on Saturday night, delivering a 10-minute homily and baptizing eight people, a day after suddenly skipping the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution.

       Francis entered the darkened, silent St. Peter's Basilica in his wheelchair, took his place in a chair and offered an opening prayer.

       The evening service, one of the most solemn and important moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus.

       The Vatican had said Francis skipped the Good Friday procession to ensure his participation in both the vigil service Saturday night.

       Scaled down processions in Jerusalem

       Hundreds of Christians participated in a customary Good Friday procession through the limestone walls of Jerusalem's Old City, commemorating one of the faith's most sacred days with noticeably thinner crowds amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

       The procession, which normally draws thousands of foreign visitors, was unusually local — mostly Palestinian Christians, joined by some foreigners living in Jerusalem and a few undeterred tourists.

       At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Saturday Mass was led by Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land.

       Peace marches in Germany

       Over 70 marches took place in various cities across Germany, in annual Easter tradition.

       This year the marches made note of the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

       German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also joined the message, posting on X that "we all yearn for a more peaceful world."