Billions and billions of Christians around the world were forced to cancel their Easter celebrations on Saturday due to coronavirus outbreaks, but the hard-hit United States celebrated a triumph by hitting the mark of 100 million people getting at least one vaccine shot.

Disturbing spikes in infections in many parts of the world have prompted the reintroduction of highly unpopular controls, even as vaccine rollouts accelerate. On Saturday, Italy went into a strict Easter lockdown, declaring the entire country a high-risk "red zone" at a time when families normally gather for the festivity.

A small handful of dog walkers and cyclists could be seen enjoying the spring weather in Rome's usually busy Piazza Navona, which is home to the popular Fountain of the Four Rivers. In the nearby winding streets, shops selling necessities were open, but without the regular throng.

In France, where officials are struggling to cope with a drastic increase in cases that has overwhelmed hospitals in Paris, new restrictions went into effect on Saturday.

Other European countries, such as Belgium, had also tightened their restrictions.

In the face of the third wave of Covid-19, Germans protested in their thousands on Saturday, sparking intense debate across the country about tightening regulations.

Marchers held signs with the slogan "End the Covid Tyranny," with only a few wearing face masks. While the government has dropped plans for a strict Easter lockdown, Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged people to restrict their social interactions before the holiday.

New limits were also introduced in Ontario and Quebec, Canada's two most populated provinces, ahead of Easter. In the Philippines, authorities have prolonged a lockdown affecting more than 24 million people for another week as they deploy tents and health staff to overpopulated hospitals.

In Jerusalem's Old City, where last year's Easter was marred by a lockout, there was a return to normalcy. Due to Israel's strong vaccine rollout, most big sites opened to a small crowd this year.

"It was very difficult last year. We had the impression that the city had died "Lina Sleibi, a Palestinian Christian who sings at church services in Bethlehem, West Bank.