Palm Sunday celebrations across the globe highlight faith and unity

• The Palm Sunday procession retraces Jesus’ route into Jerusalem, marking the start of Holy Week before Easter. Celebrations took place globally, including at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
• Pope Francis wished a “Happy Palm Sunday and Happy Holy Week” to the around 40,000 faithful gathered at the Vatican, offering his good wishes and visiting in his wheelchair following the Mass’s final blessing.
• President Donald Trump issued a Palm Sunday message, promising to defend the Christian faith in various public sectors and praying for America’s continued role as a beacon of faith, hope and freedom.

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Clergy and faithful gathered Sunday, April 13, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday. The procession retraced the route Jesus took upon entering Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, marking the start of Holy Week before Easter.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis wished a “Happy Palm Sunday and Happy Holy Week” to the crowd gathered for the Lord’s Passion celebration in Saint Peter’s Square. The Vatican estimated around 40,000 faithful attended. Following the final blessing of the Mass, the Pope offered his good wishes and visited with attendees in his wheelchair.

Sunday’s appearance marks a series of public appearances since Pope Francis was released from the hospital in late March. He was hospitalized for more than two months. Initial reports indicated that Pope Francis was battling an infection caused by bacteria, a virus and fungus in the respiratory tract, which later developed into pneumonia.

President Donald Trump issued a Palm Sunday message, renewing his administration’s promise “to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government.” The message, released by the White House, emphasized safeguarding religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life and protecting God in public spaces.

“As we focus on Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, we look to His love, humility, and obedience—even in life’s most difficult and uncertain moments,” Trump said. “This week, we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation. We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom in Heaven.”