Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope Benedict celebrates Palm Sunday

USA Today
Apr 01 8:11 AM

Pope celebrates Palm Sunday Mass on eve of John Paul II anniversary


Enlarge
By Vincenzo Pinto, AFP/Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI attends the Palm Sunday procession in Saint Peter square in Vatican Sunday. The Palm Sunday marks the holy week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, dedicating the start of the Roman Catholic Church's most solemn week to young people.

This year, Holy Week also includes the second anniversary of the April 2, 2005, death of Pope John Paul II. On Monday, the Catholic Church will close one phase of its investigation into John Paul's saintliness as it keeps up the momentum to have the beloved pope beatified.

Holding an intricately woven palm frond, Benedict opened the celebration by processing through the sun-filled piazza and up the steps of St. Peter's Basilica. He was preceded by dozens of priests, bishops and cardinals who clutched palms and olive branches as their red vestments fluttered in the breeze.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and is the start of the church's Holy Week, which includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion and death and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Benedict continued the tradition started by John Paul and dedicated his Palm Sunday Mass to the young, who were out in force in St. Peter's.

Voice of America

Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Palm Sunday
By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
01 April 2007


Pope Benedict XVI, top right, waves pilgrims as he arrives for an open-air Palm Sunday Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, 1 April 2007

Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated Palm Sunday with a Mass in Saint Peter's Square to begin Holy Week ceremonies. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome that this year Holy Week also includes a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II.

A procession of priests, bishops and cardinals holding palm leaves and olive branches opened Pope Benedict's Palm Sunday Mass for thousands of faithful Roman Catholics in Saint Peter's Square.

Continuing in a tradition started by his predecessor, John Paul, Pope Benedict dedicated his Palm Sunday Mass to young people, who turned out in large numbers.
more...

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 2:08 PM