Palm Sunday

2024 - 3 - 24

Pope Francis Surprises Crowd by Skipping Palm Sunday Homily

Archbishop Justin Welby - Easter - Holy Week - Palm Sunday - Pope Francis - palm sunday 2024

Find out why the Pope's last-minute decision made headlines at the start of Holy Week!

Pope Francis made an unexpected move by skipping his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square. The pontiff's decision to avoid delivering a speech came as a surprise to tens of thousands of worshippers gathered for the service. Despite the omission of the homily, Pope Francis continued to bless the palm fronds and olive branches carried by the faithful, emphasizing the importance of prayer during life's challenges. This unusual decision marks the beginning of a busy Holy Week, testing the Pope's health amid his advanced age.

In a parallel event, Archbishop Justin Welby led a Palm Sunday procession in Maidstone as part of his Holy Week activities. The Archbishop's active participation in the religious ceremonies adds a touch of unity to the diverse observances of this significant period for Christians worldwide.

Interestingly, Pope Francis's raspy voice was notable during the Palm Sunday Mass, adding a touch of humanity and vulnerability to his words. This moment of authenticity resonated with many believers, highlighting the Pope's relatability and connection with the faithful.

Another compelling aspect of the Palm Sunday celebrations was a guest reflection by Flora x. Tang, a doctoral candidate in theology and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame. Tang's personal reflection on coming out as queer on Palm Sunday provided a different perspective on the day's significance, showcasing the diversity of experiences within the Church.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Pope skips homily at start of busy Holy Week during Palm Sunday ... (The Associated Press)

Pope Francis has decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Pope skips Palm Sunday homily, an unusual decision for a major ... (Reuters)

Pope Francis at the last minute skipped reading his homily during a Palm Sunday Mass for tens of thousands of people St. Peter's Square but continued ...

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Image courtesy of "Crux: Covering all things Catholic"

Raspy-voiced Pope skips homily for Palm Sunday, but manages ... (Crux: Covering all things Catholic)

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday urged believers to turn to Jesus in prayer amid life's difficulties and disappointments, saying prayer keeps love alive and ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News UK"

Watch live: Pope Francis attends Vatican's Palm Sunday service (Yahoo News UK)

Pope Francis is attending a Palm Sunday service today in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican. It comes a year after he led the service in front of thousands ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Pope Skips Homily at Start of Busy Holy Week during Palm Sunday ... (Voice of America)

Pope is avoiding strenuous speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly frail health.

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Image courtesy of "Irish Examiner"

Pope makes last-minute decision not to deliver Palm Sunday Mass ... (Irish Examiner)

Instead, the 87-year-old pontiff blessed the palm fronds and olive branches carried by the faithful from the altar. He had been expected to deliver a homily ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Pope skips homily at start of busy Holy Week during Palm Sunday ... (ABC News)

Pope Francis has decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square.

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Image courtesy of "New Ways Ministry"

Palm Sunday: The Day I Came Out as Queer - New Ways Ministry (New Ways Ministry)

Today's reflection is from guest contributor Flora x. Tang. Flora is a doctoral candidate in theology and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame.

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Image courtesy of "BreakingNews.ie"

Pope makes last-minute decision not to deliver Palm Sunday Mass ... (BreakingNews.ie)

Pope Francis decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square, avoiding a strenuous speech at the start of a busy ...

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Image courtesy of "Impartial Reporter"

Archbishop of Canterbury leads Palm Sunday procession at start of ... (Impartial Reporter)

Archbishop Justin Welby led a procession in Maidstone where he is spending time for Holy Week this year.

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Image courtesy of "Euro Weekly News"

Blessed beginnings: Palm Sunday procession-pilgrimage unfolds in ... (Euro Weekly News)

On Sunday, March 24, the day kicked off with a special blessing ceremony at the Santa Catalina hermitage in Pinoso.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Pope Francis skips homily at Palm Sunday Mass in rare move (CNN)

The service marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the church's calendar as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, and his ...

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Pope skips homily at start of busy Holy Week during Palm Sunday ... (CNBC)

Pope Francis decided last minute to skip his homily, avoiding a strenuous speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly frail ...

Pope Francis skips homily at Palm Sunday Mass in rare move (KRDO)

By Christopher Lamb, CNN. (CNN) — Pope Francis unexpectedly skipped homily during the Palm Sunday Mass service at the Vatican on Sunday, although was able ...

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Image courtesy of "Spectrum News NY1"

Pope skips homily at start of busy Holy Week during Palm Sunday ... (Spectrum News NY1)

He is avoiding a strenuous speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly frail health.

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Image courtesy of "National Catholic Register"

The Most Popular Questions About Palm Sunday — and Their ... (National Catholic Register)

Palm Sunday is the day we remember and honor Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Passion narrative is read, and the faithful ...

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Image courtesy of "WLS-TV"

Palm Sunday: What the start of the Holy Week means and how it's ... (WLS-TV)

Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS New York"

Palm Sunday, Purim, Holi celebrated all over New York City on ... (CBS New York)

"I was truly able to capture what Palm Sunday was today and really get in touch with my Catholic faith," said Betty Vinson of Miami. The faithful, who came to ...

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Image courtesy of "Livemint"

Palm Sunday: From symbolism of donkey, to blessings of palm trees ... (Livemint)

On 24 March, thousands of Christian faithful attended Palm Sunday celebrations at Jerusalem's sacred Mount of Olives, marking the first day of Holy Week as ...

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Image courtesy of "KCCI Des Moines"

Pope Francis skips homily at Palm Sunday Mass (KCCI Des Moines)

The service marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the church's calendar as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, and his ...

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Image courtesy of "WLS-TV"

Chicago-area Christians hold Palm Sunday services ahead of Easter (WLS-TV)

Palm Sunday services were held for Christians in the Chicago area Sunday to mark the start of Holy Week, which leads up to Easter.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Pope Francis Skips Palm Sunday Homily (The New York Times)

Pope Francis' choice to skip the strenuous speech at the outset of Easter week immediately raised concerns about his health, but he spoke in a clear voice ...

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Image courtesy of "The Macomb Daily"

Palm Sunday services held at Macomb County churches (The Macomb Daily)

Palm Sunday kicks off a busy week leading up to Easter Sunday when the faithful commemorate the resurrection of Christ. At St. Peter Catholic Church in Mount ...

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Image courtesy of "USCCB"

On Palm Sunday, pope prays people open hearts to God, quell all ... (USCCB)

Pope Francis begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square March 24....

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Gaza Christians ask for peace on Palm Sunday (FRANCE 24)

The faithful walked slowly in a procession past the stone facade of Gaza's only Catholic church on Palm Sunday, gathering to pray for peace as war raged ...

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Image courtesy of "National Catholic Register"

Pope Francis Prays for Victims of Moscow Terrorist Attack at Palm ... (National Catholic Register)

The Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack in Russia — which killed at least 130 people — a claim that U.S. ...

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Image courtesy of "WMUR Manchester"

Pope Francis skips homily at Palm Sunday Mass (WMUR Manchester)

The service marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the church's calendar as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, and his ...

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Image courtesy of "KSBW The Central Coast"

Pope Francis skips homily at Palm Sunday Mass (KSBW The Central Coast)

The service marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the church's calendar as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, and his ...

Pope condemns Moscow terrorist attack, skips homily at Palm ... (La Croix International)

Pope Francis urges an end to violence and hatred throughout the world at start of Holy Week, surprising those attending Palm Sunday Mass by not delivering ...

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