ROME — Pope Leo XIV celebrated Palm Sunday before tens of thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square, marking the start of his first Holy Week as pontiff.
The liturgy opened with a procession of cardinals, bishops, priests and laypeople carrying olive branches and palm fronds, some intricately braided. The procession paused at the square’s central obelisk, where Leo delivered an opening prayer before continuing to the altar for Mass.
Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem ahead of his crucifixion, observed on Good Friday, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
This year’s celebration comes with memories of the final days of Pope Francis. During last year’s Holy Week, Francis was recovering from a prolonged illness but made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, greeting crowds from the basilica’s loggia before dying the following day after suffering a stroke.
Leo is expected to preside over all major Holy Week events, signaling a return to certain Vatican traditions. On Holy Thursday, he will conduct the traditional foot-washing rite at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, a departure from Francis’ practice of holding the ceremony in prisons and refugee centers to emphasize service to marginalized communities.
On Good Friday, Leo will lead the Via Crucis procession at the Colosseum, commemorating Christ’s passion and crucifixion. The week will culminate with the Easter Vigil on Saturday and Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, followed by his traditional blessing from the basilica’s balcony.