Christians across the world marked Palm Sunday with vibrant processions, solemn services, and renewed calls for peace, as the celebration unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing global tensions.
Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week, commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where, according to Christian tradition, he was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches, an enduring symbol of peace and victory.
At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV used his Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square to deliver a strong message against war and violence. Addressing tens of thousands of worshippers, he stressed that religion must never be used to justify conflict.
Describing God as a “king of peace,” the pontiff urged the faithful to reflect that message in an increasingly divided world.
“This is our God… a God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” he said in his homily.
He also paid tribute to Christians in the Middle East affected by conflict, noting that many are unable to fully observe Holy Week rites.
Celebrations in Nigeria
In Nigeria, large congregations gathered for open-air services, colourful processions, and special church programmes focused on humility and sacrifice.
In major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, worshippers turned out in large numbers, waving palm fronds and singing hymns to commemorate the biblical event. Many churches organised processions within their premises and along adjoining streets, with clergy blessing palm branches for congregants to take home as symbols of faith.
Despite economic pressures, attendance remained high, with several churches holding multiple services to accommodate worshippers. For many, the observance blended celebration with reflection ahead of Easter.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) used the occasion to urge leaders to show empathy and ease the hardship faced by citizens.
In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the body emphasised that Christ’s entry into Jerusalem symbolised humility and peace, not power.
“Across Nigeria, many are feeling the weight of the times. The cost of living is rising, and for countless families, daily life is becoming harder,” the statement said, adding that global tensions are already impacting local realities through rising fuel costs.
Tensions in Jerusalem
In Jerusalem, a key focal point of Palm Sunday observances, celebrations were overshadowed by reported restrictions. Authorities allegedly blocked some Christian leaders from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s holiest sites.
According to the Latin Patriarchate, Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the church to celebrate Mass.
In a statement, the Patriarchate said the cleric and other church officials were stopped despite not being part of a formal procession.
“For the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the statement said, describing the incident as a “grave precedent.”
France condemns action
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the move, stressing that freedom of worship must be upheld in Jerusalem.
“I condemn this decision by the Israeli police,” Macron said, warning that the action adds to a troubling pattern of violations affecting holy sites in the city.
