Christians have flocked to churches in Iraq to celebrate Easter Sunday amid tight security.
High walls and tight security cordons were in place to protect worshipers, AP reported.
Easter in Iraq
(01 of10)
Open Image ModalIraqi Christians pray during a mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad Saturday, March 30, 2013, during preparations for Easter with Mass in the Iraqi churches taking place Sunday. (AP Photo/ Hadi Mizban) (credit:AP)
(02 of10)
Open Image ModalIraqi Christians congratulate each other after a mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad Saturday, March 30, 2013 during preparations for Easter with Mass in the Iraqi churches taking place Sunday. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) (credit:AP)
Louis Sako(03 of10)
Open Image ModalLouis Sako, 64, the new patriarch of Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Church address the faithful during a mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Saturday, March 30, 2013, during preparations for Easter with Mass in the Iraqi churches taking place Sunday. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) (credit:AP)
Louis Sako(04 of10)
Open Image ModalLouis Sako, 64, center, the new patriarch of Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Church blesses the faithful during a mass at Mar Youssif Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Saturday, March 30, 2013, during preparations for Easter with Mass in the Iraqi churches taking place Sunday. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) (credit:AP)
(05 of10)
Open Image ModalChaldean priest Louis al-Shabi, center, address the faithful during Easter mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed) (credit:AP)
(06 of10)
Open Image ModalChaldean priest Louis al-Shabi, center, address the faithful during Easter mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed) (credit:AP)
(07 of10)
Open Image ModalA policeman searches a man outside the Virgin Mary Chaldean Church before Easter mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed) (credit:AP)
(08 of10)
Open Image ModalA worshipper reaches to touch a crucifix during Easter mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed) (credit:AP)
(09 of10)
Open Image ModalA policeman searches a man outside the Virgin Mary Chaldean Church before Easter mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed) (credit:AP)
(10 of10)
Open Image ModalIraqi Christians light candles before Easter mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 31, 2013. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite church affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed) (credit:AP)
It was the first Easter since the election of Pope Francis in Rome, and worshipers said they hoped their new spiritual leader would help strengthen their tiny community that has shrunk under the joint pressures of militant attacks and economic hardships.
At the St. Joseph Chaldean Church in Baghdad, some 200 worshipers stood and sat during parts of the Easter mass led by Father Saad Sirop.
"We pray for love and peace to spread through the world," said worshiper Fatin Yousef, 49.
Like most worshippers she arrived have dressed immaculately for mass, her hair tumbling in salon-created curls, wearing a tidy black skirt, low-heeled pumps and a striped shirt. "We hope Pope Francis will help make it better for Christians in Iraq."
There are an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 Christians in Iraq, with most belonging to ancient eastern churches. There has been no census in Iraq for 16 years, making precise figures difficult to obtain.
Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Iraqi Christians have suffered repeated attacks by Islamic militants.
Hundreds of thousands have left the country, with church officials estimating their communities have at least halved.
The worst attack was at Baghdad's soaring Our Lady of Salvation church in October 2010. It killed more than 50 worshipers and wounded scores more.