VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV inaugurated his inaugural Holy Week as pontiff with Palm Sunday celebrations in St. Peter’s Square, drawing tens of thousands of faithful in a ceremony marked by both tradition and remembrance of his predecessor. The event commenced with a solemn procession of cardinals, bishops, clergy, and laypeople carrying intricately braided palm fronds and olive branches, symbolizing Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion.
The liturgical celebration held particular significance as it evoked memories of Pope Francis’ final days. Last year, Francis had delegated Holy Week ceremonies while recovering from pneumonia but made a poignant final appearance on Easter Sunday before passing away from a stroke on Easter Monday. His nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, revealed Francis’ moving last words: “Thank you for bringing me back to the square.”
Pope Leo’s approach signals a return to traditional practices while acknowledging Francis’ legacy. The new pontiff will restore the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony to St. John Lateran Basilica, reversing Francis’ practice of performing the ritual in prisons and refugee centers. While Francis used the ceremony to emphasize service to society’s marginalized, including non-Christians, Leo will follow the tradition of previous popes by washing the feet of twelve priests.
The Holy Week schedule includes Friday’s Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum commemorating Christ’s crucifixion, followed by the Easter Vigil on Saturday where Leo will baptize new converts. The week culminates with Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square and the traditional papal blessing from the basilica loggia.