On the morning of Palm SundayPope Francis came out again in St. Peter's Square at the end of the Mass celebrated by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice-dean of the College of Cardinals. In the homily read by the Cardinal, the Pope encouraged us to be Cyrenians for others. In St. Peter's, in front of about 25,000 faithful, the Pope said with an improvement in his voice: "Happy Palm Sunday, happy Holy Week".
The Pope's departures from Casa Santa Marta, his usual residence, where his recovery process is taking place, are becoming more and more frequent. Yesterday, Saturday, the Pope went to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and stopped to pray before the icon of the Virgin, 'Salus Populi Romani'. This is his 126th visit to this Marian dedication in Rome. Today, the Pope enjoyed greeting numerous people, cardinals, authorities, lay people, groups of nuns, etc., from his wheelchair.
"The Passion of Jesus becomes compassion."
In the homily of this Palm Sunday, the Pope has invited the faithful to live a Easter carrying not only his own cross, but also that of those who suffer around him: "The passion of Jesus becomes compassion when we reach out our hand to those who can no longer bear it. The Pope highlighted the figure of "Simon of Cyrene - a character who appears unexpectedly on the road to Calvary".
This is a invitation to carry not only our own cross, but also that of our neighbor, and to become a Cyrenean to one another. "Let us now follow in Simon's footsteps, for he teaches us that Jesus goes out to meet everyone in every situation. [The passion of Jesus becomes compassion when we reach out to those who can no longer bear it, when we lift up those who have fallen, when we embrace those who are bereaved".
Angelus: do not give in to despair
In the Angelus text prepared by the Pope, the Pontiff said that "we all have pain, physical or moral, and faith helps us not to give in to despair, not to close ourselves in bitterness", but to face them feeling wrapped up, like Jesus, in the providential and merciful embrace of the Father".
"Sisters and brothers, I thank you very much for your prayers. In this moment of physical weakness they help me to feel even more the closeness, compassion and tenderness of God. I also pray for you and ask you to entrust with me to the Lord all those who are suffering. Especially those affected by war, poverty or natural disasters. In particular, may God welcome in his peace the victims of the collapse of a building in Santo Domingo, and support their families".
Prayer for peace
Finally, the Pope recalled that "April 15 will be the second sad anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in Sudan, with thousands of deaths and millions of families forced to abandon their homes". And he has again mentioned usual places subject to wars and conflicts to pray for them. "Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, South Sudan. May Mary, Mother, Virgin of Sorrows, grant us this grace and help us to live Holy Week with faith."
You can consult here the schedule of Holy Week celebrations 2025 at the Vatican.
