( CNN ) -- Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday called for an end to violence in Syria , as well as a renewed peace effort in the Middle East , in his annual Easter Mass message from the Vatican as Christians worldwide marked the holiday . `` May the risen Christ grant hope to the Middle East and enable all the ethnic , cultural and religious groups in that region to work together to advance the common good and respect for human rights , '' the pope said in his `` Urbi et Orbi '' ( `` To the City and to the World '' ) message in St. Peter 's Square . `` Particularly in Syria , may there be an end to bloodshed and an immediate commitment to the path of respect , dialogue and reconciliation , as called for by the international community , he said . `` May the many refugees from that country who are in need of humanitarian assistance find the acceptance and solidarity capable of relieving their dreadful sufferings . '' The Iraqi people , he said , should be encouraged to `` spare no effort in pursuing the path of stability and development . In the Holy Land , may Israelis and Palestinians courageously take up anew the peace process . '' And the pope asked that `` the risen Jesus comfort the suffering populations of the Horn of Africa and favor their reconciliation , '' including Sudan and South Sudan , `` and grant their inhabitants the power of forgiveness . In Mali , now experiencing delicate political developments , may the glorious Christ grant peace and stability . To Nigeria , which in recent times has experienced savage terrorist attacks , may the joy of Easter grant the strength needed to take up anew the building of a society which is peaceful and respectful of the religious freedom of all its citizens . '' Christians have previously been the targets of violence in Nigeria , most notably on Christmas Day , when a string of bombs struck churches in several cities . A bombing Sunday in the northern city of Kaduna killed 25 people and wounded another 13 , emergency management agency spokesman Abubakar Zakari said . While the blast was near a Christian church where services were taking place , the target was not immediately clear . Thankfully , thousands of Easter services -- from the annual sunrise service at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington , D.C. , to throngs of worshipers attending Mass in the Philippines -- were far more peaceful , a time for both reflection and celebration . In Georgetown , Texas , that included cheers for Tim Tebow , who has become known as much for his religious devotion as for his exploits on the football field . The quarterback took the stage alongside Celebration Church senior pastor Joe Champion to talk about how his faith brings him peace , joy , stability and a sense of purpose even at times of what might seem like intense turmoil and scrutiny . Tebow has been on a roller coaster in the last year with his play and public displays of faith , and more recently with his trade from the Denver Broncos to the New York Jets . `` Whatever happens in life -- good or bad , whether you 're the hero or the goat , whether you like it or not -- you know that someone has a plan for your life , and it 's a special plan , '' Tebow told the congregation , about his belief that his future is in God 's hands . `` When you trust that and you have hope in that , then you have peace in all decisions and everything you do . And it brings a lot of joy to your life . '' For Christians in countries thrown into tumult by the Arab Spring revolutions , some say Easter celebrations could prove dangerous . In the past , Syrian Christians `` have had great outpouring of piety in the public squares on Easter , '' said Nina Shea , director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute in Washington . `` This time , I suspect it is going to be vastly different . They are fearful . '' Though the geopolitical makeup of each Arab Spring country is different , Shea and other religious freedom scholars say that a pious holiday like Easter presents an opportunity for anti-Christian groups to seek out worshippers . Religious holidays have long been a venue for terrorist attacks against all religious groups in the Middle East and North Africa . These holidays provide not only a meaningful day to make a statement but also see large concentrations of worshippers in one area . `` Christ is hope and comfort in a particular way for those Christian communities suffering most for their faith on account of discrimination and persecution , '' the pope said Sunday . `` And he is present as a force of hope through his church , which is close to all human situations of suffering and injustice . '' Last Easter , Benedict called for peace amid ongoing conflicts in Africa and the Middle East and mentioned the plight of those in Japan recovering from the devastating earthquake and tsunami . CNN 's Dan Merica and journalist Safiya Akau contributed to this report .
NEW : Tim Tebow tells Texas worshippers having faith in God gives him peace , joy . NEW : 25 die in a blast near a Christian church in Nigeria , an official says . Pope Benedict XVI mentions Syria and African nations in his Easter message . An analyst says Syrian Christians might be more fearful of celebrating openly this year .