Christians around the world observed Palm Sunday with vibrant processions, solemn masses, and renewed calls for peace amid ongoing global tensions.
The day, which begins Holy Week, commemorates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed him with palm branches—a symbol 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, emphasising that religion should never justify conflict.
“This is our God, a God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” the pontiff said, addressing tens of thousands of worshippers.
He urged reflection on peace in a world marked by division, paying tribute to Christians in the Middle East who continue to endure conflict.
In Nigeria, churches in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt drew large crowds for open-air services, colourful processions, and blessings of palm branches.
Clergy distributed palm fronds to congregants, who carried them home as enduring symbols of faith.
Despite economic challenges, attendance was high, with some churches holding multiple services to accommodate worshippers.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged leaders to ease the burden on citizens, highlighting Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem as an act of humility and peace rather than force.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN’s president, said, “That choice still speaks to us today… Across Nigeria, many are feeling the weight of the times.
”The cost of living is rising, and global tensions, including those in Iran and Israel, are affecting energy prices.”
Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, a focal point for celebrations, faced unusual restrictions.
Israeli authorities reportedly blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for mass, forcing him and the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, to turn back.
“This morning, the Israeli police prevented the heads of the Church from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” said the Patriarchate in a statement, describing the incident as unprecedented and disrespectful to billions of Christians worldwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the move, stressing that worship for all religions must be guaranteed in Jerusalem.
“I condemn this decision by the Israeli police… It adds to a worrying series of violations of the status of holy places in Jerusalem,” Macron said on X, pledging full support to the Latin Patriarch and local Christians.
Across Europe and the Middle East, Palm Sunday saw processions, prayers, and symbolic acts of faith, as Christian communities reaffirmed messages of peace, hope, and humility in the lead-up to Easter.
