Pope Francis will preside over Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday after having blessed palm and olive branches, brought for the occasion in order to commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
On Holy Thursday, 18 April at 9.30am in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will preside over the Chrism Mass, together with Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and priests present in Rome. During the celebration, the Pope blesses the holy oils, or “chrisms”, that will be used to administer the Sacraments during the year.
On Good Friday, 19 April, the Church celebrates the Passion of the Lord, commemorating His crucifixion and death on Mount Calvary. Inaint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Cross, and the Communion Rite, starting at 5.00pm.
At 9.15pm, he will participate in the “Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, at the Colosseum, at the end of which he will give a reflection and impart his Apostolic Blessing.
The Easter Vigil takes place on Saturday, 20 April, beginning at 8.30pm. After blessing the new fire in the atrium of Saint Peter’s Basilica, and after the processional entrance with the Easter candle and the singing of the “Exsultet” (or “Easter Proclamation”), the Pope will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, the Baptismal Liturgy and the Celebration of the Eucharist.
Pope Francis will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday, 21 April at 10.00m. At the end of the celebration, he will impart the “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing, on the City of Rome and the World, from the central loggia of St Peter’s Basilica.
ENDS
