Palm Sunday, Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord

April 13, From St. Peter's Square: Palm Sunday,(with a surprise visit from Pope Francis) Celebration of the Passion of Christ presided over by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri

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Palm Sunday in Rome: Solemn Mass in St. Peter's Square
A solemn mass was celebrated this Sunday in Rome to commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. Approximately 25,000 worshippers gathered in a cloud-shrouded St. Peter's Square, where Argentinian Cardinal Leonardo Sandri presided over the traditional service with the blessing of palms on behalf of Pope Francis.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of the 40-day Lent. A solemn procession in Rome commemorated Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Holding palm branches, the worshippers marched through St. Peter's Square, decorated with greenery. The cry with which Jesus was greeted in Jerusalem resounded: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel."

On this feast day, known in the Catholic Church as "Dominica in Palmis de passione Domini," the liturgical color red dominates, reminding us of the shed blood of Jesus. Since Pope Francis still needs to rest after his long hospital stay, he was represented at the Mass by his fellow countryman, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.

At the beginning of the Holy Mass, the Cardinal Emeritus blessed palm and olive branches with holy water, after which the solemn Palm Procession began to the raised altar area in the forecourt of St. Peter's Basilica. There, the Passion story from the Gospel of Luke was read. At the words "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. With these words, he breathed his last," everyone knelt for a brief moment of silence in prayer.

Before the Mass began, palm and olive branches were distributed to those attending the service: a gift from the Lazio region, where olive oil is produced in many places. Palm trees were considered sacred trees and have long been symbols of victory and life.

Before the service, palm and olive branches were given to the faithful.

Like Simon of Cyrene, carrying the cross of Christ in one's heart
The homily Pope Francis planned to deliver this Palm Sunday was read by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. In his interpretation of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (19:38), Francis calls for the Passion of Christ to be not only viewed externally, but also to be experienced concretely through compassionate action.

"The Messiah is coming through the gate of the holy city, which is wide open to receive the one who, a few days later, will leave there, cursed and condemned, laden with the cross," begins the homily text, which focuses on a figure from the Passion story: Simon of Cyrene, "whom the soldiers placed the cross on to carry behind Jesus."

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri presided over the Mass on behalf of Pope Francis.

Although he said he helped Jesus not out of conviction, but because he was forced to do so, he also personally participated in the Lord's Passion. And in doing so, he reminded us all of our Christian responsibility to assist our fellow human beings.

"How many people, like Simon of Cyrene, carry the Cross of Christ! Do we recognize them?" Francis asks in his homily. "Do we see the Lord in their faces marked by war and misery? In the face of the terrible injustice of evil, carrying the Cross of Christ is never in vain; on the contrary, it is the most concrete way to share his saving love."

Retired Argentinian Cardinal Leonardo Sandri

Supporting one another like Simon of Cyrene
Especially during Holy Week, we must not forget that Christian solidarity means genuine compassion and active mercy, and that the suffering of Jesus must be expressed in compassion, that is, in an attitude of love and service.

Hence the Pope's concluding appeal: "During Holy Week, let us reflect on how we want to carry the cross: not around our necks, but in our hearts. Not only our own, but also that of those around us who suffer; perhaps that of that unknown person whom chance—but is it really chance?—brought us to meet. Let us prepare for the Lord's Paschal feast by supporting one another like Simon of Cyrene."

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday

Surprise Visit by Pope Francis, (1h24min)
As he did at the Holy Year Mass a week ago, despite the windy weather, Pope Francis made a brief appearance in St. Peter's Square at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass and addressed a brief greeting to the faithful.

(vaticannews – skr)
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Presided over by Cardinal Leonardo
Leonardo Card.Sandri via X
@CardinalSandri
Official Page of Leonardo Sandri, Cardinal Vice-Dean of the College of the Cardinals, Holy See
Born November 18, Joined October 2013
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