New Delhi : Christians around the world are observing Good Friday today, the day marks the crucification of Jesus Christ at the end of the Lent period.

Rehearsals of hymns, prayers and sermons are being conducted wherein devotees spend the day fasting.

Good Friday is the culmination of the 40-day Lent period during which they abstained from meat, alcohol and sweets. The day is observed during the Holy Week, which also includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday.

Christians in Kerala offered special prayers by trekking to the holy shrine of Saint Thomas.

Pope Benedict XVI held a televised question and answer session on Italy’s public broadcaster to mark Good Friday, a media report said. The Pope responded to questions about tsunami in Japan, civil war in the Ivory Coast and whether a person in a vegetative state still has a soul, Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.