Pope Leo XIV leaves after presiding over Mass in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican on the Catholic feast of Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, on March 29, 2026.
| Picture Credit score: AP
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday (March 29, 2026) rejected claims that God justifies battle and prayed particularly for Christians within the Center East throughout a Palm Sunday Mass earlier than tens of 1000’s of individuals in St. Peter’s Sq..
With the U.S.-Israeli battle on Iran getting into its second month and Russia’s ongoing marketing campaign in Ukraine, Leo devoted his Palm Sunday homily to insisting that God is the “king of peace” who rejects violence and comforts those that are oppressed.
“Brothers and sisters, that is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects battle, whom nobody can use to justify battle,” Pope Leo stated. “He doesn’t take heed to the prayers of those that wage battle, however rejects them.” Leaders on all sides of the Iran battle have used faith to justify their actions. U.S. officers, particularly Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked their Christian religion to solid the battle as a Christian nation attempting to conquer its foes with navy would possibly.
Russia’s Orthodox Church, too, has justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “holy battle” in opposition to a Western world it considers has fallen into evil.
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem within the time main as much as his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday, and resurrection on Easter Sunday.
In a particular blessing on the finish of Mass, Pope Leo stated he was praying particularly for Christians within the Center East who’re “struggling the results of an atrocious battle. In lots of instances, they can not stay the rites of those holy days.” Earlier Sunday, the Latin Patriarchate stated Jerusalem police prevented the Catholic church’s prime management from getting into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was the primary time in centuries that church leaders have been prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday on the place the place Christians consider Jesus was crucified, the Patriarchate stated.
Pope Leo stated that in Holy Week, Christians can’t neglect how many individuals world wide are struggling as Christ did. “Their trials enchantment to the conscience of all. Allow us to increase our prayers to the Prince of Peace in order that he could assist folks wounded by battle and open concrete paths of reconciliation and peace,” Pope Leo stated.
A Holy Week that remembers Pope Francis’ struggling
When Holy Week opened final 12 months, Pope Francis was nonetheless recovering on the Vatican after a five-week hospital keep for double pneumonia. He had delegated the liturgical celebrations to others, however rallied on Easter Sunday to greet the trustworthy from the loggia of St. Peter’s Sq.. Most poignantly, he then made what turned his closing popemobile loop across the piazza.
Pope Francis died the next morning, Easter Monday, after struggling a stroke. His nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, later instructed Vatican Media that Francis had instructed him: “Thanks for bringing me again to the sq.” for the ultimate salute.
Pope Leo is because of preside over this week’s liturgical appointments and is returning to custom with the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony that commemorates Jesus’ Final Supper along with his disciples.
Throughout his 12-year preach,Pope Francis famously celebrated the Holy Thursday ritual by travelling to Rome-area prisons and refugee centres to clean the ft of individuals on society’s margins. His goal was to drive residence the ritual’s message of service and humility, and he would incessantly muse throughout his Holy Thursday homilies, “Why them and never me?” Pope Francis’ gesture had been praised as a tangible proof of his perception that the church should go to the peripheries to search out these most in want of God’s love and mercy. However some critics bristled on the annual outings, particularly since Francis would additionally wash the ft of Muslims and folks of different faiths.
Leo restores Holy Week foot-washing custom
Pope Leo, historical past’s first U.S.-born Pope, is returning the Holy Thursday foot-washing custom to the basilica of St. John Lateran, the place popes carried out it for many years. The Vatican hasn’t but stated who will take part, although Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II usually washed the ft of 12 clergymen.
On Friday, Pope Leo is because of preside over the Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum commemorating Christ’s Ardour and crucifixion. Saturday brings the late-night Easter Vigil, throughout which Leo will baptise new Catholics, adopted a couple of hours later by Easter Sunday, when Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.
Pope Leo will rejoice Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Sq. after which ship his Easter blessing from the loggia of the basilica.
Printed – March 29, 2026 05:30 pm IST