Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV: “God does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war”

Pope Leo XIV launched Holy Week celebrations on Sunday morning with a prayer in St. Peter’s Square. Tens of thousands of faithful filled the Vatican colonnade to attend the Holy Father’s mass. Many brought olive branches and palm fronds for blessing during the celebration.

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“Let us look at Jesus, who presents himself as the King of peace, while around him war is being prepared. He, who remains firm in gentleness while others become agitated in violence. He, who gives himself as a caress for humanity**, while others brandish swords and sticks.** He, who is the light of the world, while darkness is about to cover the earth. He, who came to bring life, while the plan is being carried out to condemn him to death,” declared the pontiff while celebrating Mass with an explicit reference to ongoing wars.

“Brothers, sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of peace. A God who refuses war, whom no one can use to justify itwho does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war and rejects it, saying: ‘Even if you multiply your prayers, I will not listen to them: your hands are full of blood.’ » added Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV: “Lay down your arms, remember that you are brothers”

“Looking at him, who was crucified for us, we see the crucified of humanity. In his wounds we see the wounds of so many women and men today. In his last cry addressed to the Father, we hear the tears of those who are dejected, without hope, sick, alone, continued Leo XIV while celebrating mass in the square in front of Saint-Pierre. And above all, we hear the moan of pain of all those oppressed by violence and of all victims of war. HAS”

“Christ, King of peace, still cries from his cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your arms, remember that you are brothers! », launched with fervor Leo XIV.

At the end of the celebration, Pope Leo XIV then went to meet the faithful, offering blessings and greeting the children. As he returned to the interior of the Vatican, a group of Spanish pilgrims shouted: “See you soon in Spain!” HAS”. The pope, who will visit Spain at the beginning of June, smiled and greeted them.

Leo XIV: “Let us pray for those who cannot celebrate the rites of holy days”

Later, during the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV again launched a call for peace in the Middle East. “Dear brothers and sisters, at the beginning of Holy Week, we are closer than ever in prayer to the Christians of the Middle East, who suffer the consequences of an atrocious conflict and, in many cases, cannot fully experience the rites of these holy days.” As the pope spoke these words, news came from Jerusalem: Israeli police arrested Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Most Reverend Ieplo, preventing them from celebrating mass at the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

“At the very moment when the Church contemplates the mystery of the Passion of the Lord, we cannot forget all those who today participate concretely in his suffering. Their ordeal calls upon everyone’s conscience. Let us raise our supplication to the Prince of Peace, that he supports people scarred by war and opens concrete paths of reconciliation and peace,” declared the pontiff.

“I also wish to entrust to the Lord the sailors who are victims of the war: I pray for the deceased, for the injured and for their families. The earth, sky and sea were created for life and peace! And let us pray for all the migrants who died at sea, in particular for those who lost their lives in recent days off the island of Crete,” added Leo XIV.

The Holy Week program

During the week leading up to Easter, the pontiff will be engaged in several celebrations. Thursday April 2, he will chair la messe chrismale à 9 h 30 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, while at 5:30 p.m., at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, will be held the evening mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Friday April 3, the Pope will celebrate the Passion of the Lord, at 5 p.m. in Saint Peter’s Basilica, then at 9:15 p.m. the traditional Stations of the Cross at the Colosseumat the end of which Leo XIV will give the apostolic blessing.

Saturday, April 4 at 21 h débutera, at Saint-Pierre, la veillée pascale while on Sunday April 5 at 10:15 a.m. Easter mass is planned in Saint-Pierre. Suivra à 12 h la bénédiction Urbi et Orbi.