Pope Leo XIV presides over Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Remo Casilli/Pool REUTERS
conceal caption
toggle caption
Remo Casilli/Pool REUTERS
ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday rejected claims that God justifies battle and prayed particularly for Christians within the Center East throughout a Palm Sunday Mass earlier than tens of hundreds of individuals in St. Peter’s Sq..
With the U.S.-Israeli battle on Iran coming into its second month and Russia’s ongoing marketing campaign in Ukraine, Leo devoted his Palm Sunday homily to insist 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,” Leo mentioned. “He doesn’t hearken 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 Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked their Christian religion to solid the battle as a Christian nation making an attempt to conquer its foes with navy may.
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, Leo mentioned he was praying particularly for Christians within the Center East who’re “struggling the implications of an atrocious battle. In lots of circumstances, they can not dwell totally the rites of those holy days.”
Earlier Sunday, the Latin Patriarchate mentioned Jerusalem police prevented the Catholic church’s high management from coming into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was the primary time in centuries church leaders had been prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday on the place the place Christians imagine Jesus was crucified, the Patriarchate mentioned.
Leo mentioned that in Holy Week, Christians can’t neglect how many individuals all over the world are struggling as Christ did. “Their trials attraction to the conscience of all. Allow us to elevate 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,” Leo mentioned.
A Holy Week that recollects 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 grew to become his last popemobile loop across the piazza.
Francis died the next morning, Easter Monday, after struggling a stroke. His nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, later advised Vatican Media that Francis had advised him: “Thanks for bringing me again to the sq.” for the ultimate salute.
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, Francis famously celebrated the Holy Thursday ritual by touring to Rome-area prisons and refugee facilities to clean the ft of individuals most on society’s margins. His intention was to drive residence the ritual’s message of service and humility, and he would regularly muse throughout his Holy Thursday homilies “Why them and never me?”
Francis’ gesture had been praised as a tangible proof of his perception that the church should go to the peripheries to seek 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 other people of different faiths.
Leo restores Holy Week foot-washing custom
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 mentioned who will take part, although Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II usually washed the ft of 12 monks.
On Friday, Leo is because of preside over the Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum commemorating Christ’s Ardour and crucifixion. Saturday brings the late evening Easter Vigil, throughout which Leo will baptize new Catholics, adopted a number of hours later by Easter Sunday when Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.
Leo will rejoice Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Sq. after which ship his Easter blessing from the loggia of the basilica.
