Christians across the world on Sunday marked Palm Sunday with vibrant processions, solemn services, and renewed calls for peace, as the celebration unfolded against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions.
Palm Sunday, which signals the beginning of Holy Week, commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where, according to Christian tradition, he was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches—an enduring symbol of victory and peace.
At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, during Mass at St. Peter’s Square attended by tens of thousands of worshippers, delivered a strong message condemning war and violence. The pontiff stressed that religion must never be used to justify conflict, describing God as a “king of peace” and urging the faithful to reflect that message in a deeply 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, referencing ongoing conflicts, including tensions involving Iran and the war in Ukraine.
After the Angelus prayer, the Pope also paid tribute to Christians in the Middle East, noting that many are unable to fully observe the rites of the holy season due to the impact of conflict.
In Nigeria, the day was marked by large gatherings and colourful processions across major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, where worshippers waved palm fronds and sang hymns in commemoration of the biblical event. Churches held processions within their premises and along adjoining streets, while clergy blessed palm branches for congregants to take home as symbols of faith.
Despite prevailing economic challenges, attendance remained high, with many churches recording full congregations and multiple services. For many faithful, the observance blended celebration with reflection, setting a solemn tone ahead of Easter.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) used the occasion to call on leaders to show empathy and address the hardship facing citizens. In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the body noted that Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem symbolised humility, peace, and purpose, not power.
“That choice still speaks to us today,” CAN said, adding that many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs. The association pointed to global tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States as factors unsettling energy markets, with direct consequences locally, including higher fuel prices.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, a traditional focal point of Palm Sunday celebrations, reports indicated unusual restrictions. Authorities reportedly blocked some Christian leaders from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Israeli police were said to have prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the church to celebrate Mass. He, alongside the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, was reportedly stopped while proceeding privately and was forced to turn back.
The Patriarchate described the development as a “grave precedent,” noting that, for the first time in centuries, church leaders were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site. It said the action disregards the sensibilities of billions of Christians worldwide who look to Jerusalem during the Holy Week.
The incident also drew international reaction, with French President Emmanuel Macron condemning the move. He insisted that freedom of worship for all religions must be guaranteed in Jerusalem, warning that the action adds to a troubling pattern of violations concerning holy sites.
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