Easter Sunday probably the most important day of the year for Catholics throughout Italy, this is when the Pope performs a traditional blessing over the masses of pilgrims that turnout at St Peter’s Square, in Vatican City.

Settimana Santa: also known as Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter is marked by several sombre processionals. Passion plays and Stations of the Cross are also staged in most major communities. In an ancient Roman tradition, the pope leads a candlelight processional to the Colosseum.

Italians unite in commemorating their nation's liberation in 1945 and those who gave their lives for the cause.