Pope Francis has used his Easter message to urge the world to use "weapons of love" not violence in the fight against terrorism.

Speaking just days after the coordinated terror attacks in Brussels which killed 31 people the pontiff called on people to seek peaceful solutions to the violence, injustice and threats to peace around the world as he prayed for those who had died.

He said: "May he (the risen Jesus) draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world."

Addressing the crowds from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica the Pope also condemned those who failed to help migrants and made a public plea for greater acceptance.

Security at this years event, which drew crowds of tens of thousands of people to St Peter's Square, was heightened in the wake of the Brussels attacks and police reportedly checked people several times at various points along the approach the square as well as carrying out body and bag searches.