Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI in a Holy Thursday Chrism Mass celebrated the first of a series of traditional rituals leading to Easter - a feast tinged with sorrow in Italy this year for the victims of an devastating earthquake.

During the ceremony in St Peter's Basilica, Benedict blessed holy oils which will be used in Catholic sacraments, including baptisms, confirmations and last rites for the dying.

Some of the oils consecrated this year are destined for parishes in Italy's central Abruzzo region where by Thursday morning the death toll from Monday's earthquake stood at 278.

Benedict on Wednesday said he plans to visit the earthquake area "as soon as possible".

On Thursday evening, the 81-year-old pontiff was scheduled to perform the traditional foot-washing ceremony which commemorates the same gesture carried out by Jesus Christ before his Last Supper.

Benedict is scheduled to preside over the traditional Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession in Rome's Colosseum on Good Friday and an Easter vigil at the Vatican on Saturday.

On Easter Sunday, he is due to celebrate Mass in St Peter's before delivering his Urbi et Orbi message and blessing "to the city and the world."

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is regarded by Christians as their most important religious feast.