Pope Francis chose not to give his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, saving himself from a demanding speech at the beginning of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly weak health.
Having trouble with his knees and ongoing breathing problems, Francis also didn’t join the procession of cardinals around the obelisk in the piazza at the start of the Mass. Instead, the 87-year-old pontiff blessed the palm fronds and olive branches carried by the faithful from the altar.
Francis was expected to deliver a homily midway through the service and a prepared text had been given to journalists. However, when an aide handed Francis his glasses to start reading, the pope made it clear he wouldn’t give the remarks, leaving the crowd waiting in silence.
Vatican officials did not immediately explain the reason. The Vatican press office later said the homily was replaced by 'a moment of silence and prayer.'
During the service, Francis did offer prayers and made a long appeal for peace at the end of the Mass. He mentioned that he was praying for the families of those killed in what he called an 'inhuman' attack at a suburban Moscow concert hall, and also requested prayers for “the martyred Ukraine” and people of Gaza.
Vatican officials estimated that around 60,000 people attended the Mass, which took place under a sunny, breezy spring sky. Francis spent several minutes greeting them from the popemobile, making several loops around the piazza at the end of the service.
Palm Sunday marks the start of a busy week for Francis leading up to Easter Sunday, when the faithful commemorate the resurrection of Christ. On Thursday, Francis is scheduled to visit a Rome women’s prison for the traditional washing of the feet ritual. On Friday, he is set to preside over the torchlit Way of the Cross procession at Rome’s Colosseum re-enacting Christ’s crucifixion.
The following day marks the Easter Vigil, during which Francis leads a solemn nighttime service in the basilica, followed by Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square and his noontime blessing from the loggia above.
The Holy Week schedule is a challenge for popes even under the best of circumstances. But that is especially true this year for Francis, who has been dealing with a case of the flu, bronchitis, or a cold on and off throughout the winter. In recent weeks, he has occasionally had an aide read his speeches and catechism lessons aloud to spare him the effort.
On Sunday, there was no replacement, and the homily was skipped. Vatican officials stated that the prepared text was to be considered as if it had never existed. Normally, the pope does not give a homily at Easter, but he typically offers reflections on Palm Sunday.
Even when he is not unwell, Francis often speaks softly and appears to get out of breath easily. He had part of one lung removed when he was young due to a respiratory infection.
At this time last year, he was in the hospital for three days with a severe case of bronchitis, but then managed to get through Holy Week. He has been admitted to the hospital two other times during his pontificate for abdominal surgery, including a 10-day stay in 2021 to remove part of his large intestine.
At the end of the Mass, Francis prayed for peace for all those going through war, and asked the Lord to comfort the victims of the “terrible terrorist attack” in Moscow.
“May he change the minds of those who protect, plan and carry out these cruel acts that go against God's command not to kill,” Francis said.
Without specifically mentioning Moscow, Francis also urged the faithful not to forget Ukraine’s suffering. He mentioned that many Ukrainians are currently without electricity due to “intense attacks on infrastructure, which not only cause death and suffering, but also the danger of a humanitarian crisis of even larger scale.”
“Please remember the persecuted Ukraine,” he said. “And let us also think of Gaza, which is facing a lot of suffering, and many other places of conflict.”
