Christians across the globe marked Palm Sunday with vibrant processions, solemn church services, and renewed appeals for peace, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The day, which signals the start of Holy Week, commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when, according to tradition, he was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches—symbols of victory and peace.
At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV used his Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square to condemn war and violence, stressing that religion should never justify conflict. Addressing tens of thousands of worshippers, he described God as a “king of peace” and called on the faithful to reflect that message in a world increasingly marked by division.
“This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” he said, referencing ongoing conflicts including tensions involving Iran and the war in Ukraine.
The Pope also paid tribute to Christians in the Middle East, highlighting their suffering and restricted ability to observe holy rites.
CELEBRATIONS IN NIGERIA
In Nigeria, congregations across major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt gathered for open-air services and church processions. Worshippers waved palm fronds, sang hymns, and received blessings on palm branches to take home as symbols of faith. Despite economic pressures, attendance remained high, with churches holding multiple services to accommodate participants.
The Christian Association of Nigeria urged leaders to show empathy, drawing inspiration from Jesus’s humility and peaceful entry into Jerusalem. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, noted that the celebration reminds Nigerians of the importance of peace and hope in challenging times, including rising costs and global tensions affecting fuel prices.
TENSIONS IN JERUSALEM
In Jerusalem, Palm Sunday celebrations faced unprecedented restrictions. Israeli police reportedly blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem described the incident as a “grave precedent,” noting it was the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from performing the Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site, an act that disregards the sensibilities of millions worldwide.
