On Sunday, March 29, 2026, the heart of the Catholic world pulsed with anticipation as Pope Leo XIV presided over his very first Holy Week as pontiff, beginning with a grand Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. The occasion, steeped in centuries-old tradition and deep spiritual significance, marked not only a pivotal moment for the Vatican but also a poignant remembrance of the final days of Pope Francis’ life, according to the Associated Press. For many, this year’s Holy Week is a bridge between the legacy of the late pope and the emerging vision of his successor.
The Palm Sunday celebration, often called Passion Sunday or the Commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, is the gateway to the busiest liturgical period in the Catholic calendar. This year, the Vatican’s schedule stretches from March 29 through April 6, with Pope Leo XIV at the helm for five major Masses and a series of other liturgies and devotions. The scale and splendor of these observances draw faithful from around the globe—both in person and, as Rome Reports highlighted, via live broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide.
As sunlight streamed across St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday morning, the scene unfolded with a solemn procession of cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, and laypeople, all carrying intricately woven palm fronds and olive branches. The Vatican anticipated distributing a staggering 120,000 olive branches to the assembled crowd, a vivid reminder of the Church’s enduring traditions and the unity of its global flock. The procession wound around the iconic central obelisk, with participants holding the large, weaved palms known as “palmureli.”
The liturgy began at 10 a.m., with Pope Leo XIV leading the faithful in prayer and reflection. After the Mass, as is customary, he delivered the Angelus prayer from the steps of St. Peter’s, offering words of hope and renewal. This Palm Sunday, however, carried an extra weight of memory. As reported by the Associated Press, the celebration recalled the final days of Pope Francis, whose humility and outreach had left an indelible mark on the Church. The transition from Francis to Leo XIV was palpable in the air—an unspoken acknowledgment of both loss and continuity.
Holy Week’s significance in the Catholic tradition cannot be overstated. It is a time when the faithful retrace the steps of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. The Vatican’s schedule for 2026 is a testament to the depth and complexity of these rituals. On Holy Thursday, April 2, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate the chrism Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. This Mass, a highlight for clergy, is when the pope, acting as bishop of Rome, blesses the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens, and the chrism oil that will be used across the diocese for the coming year. The event draws many cardinals, bishops, and priests living in Rome, all concelebrating in a powerful display of clerical unity.
Later that day, at 5:30 p.m., Leo XIV will preside over the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This marks a return to tradition—celebrating the Mass at the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome, a practice Pope Francis had set aside in favor of visiting prisons to demonstrate closeness to the marginalized. The shift signals both a respect for established customs and an openness to future innovation.
Good Friday, April 3, brings the solemn commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion. At 5 p.m., Pope Leo XIV will preside over the service for the passion of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica. Notably, this is not a Mass but a unique liturgy centered on reflection and veneration. The papal preacher, currently Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, is expected to deliver a sermon focusing on the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice—a moment that often resonates deeply with attendees and viewers alike.
As dusk falls, another moving tradition unfolds: the Stations of the Cross devotion at the Colosseum, beginning at 9:15 p.m. Thousands of faithful, candles in hand, will encircle the ancient amphitheater, their flickering lights illuminating the night. The pope’s presence at the Colosseum, a symbol of both suffering and redemption, ties the Church’s past to its present in a ritual that has captivated believers for generations.
Holy Saturday, April 4, features the Easter Vigil Mass at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. According to the Roman Missal, this vigil is “the greatest and most noble of all solemnities.” The liturgy begins in darkness, symbolizing the world before Christ’s resurrection. The pope blesses the new fire and prepares the paschal candle, after which cardinals, bishops, and priests process through the darkened basilica, their lit candles signifying the arrival of the light of Christ. It’s also customary for the pope to baptize new Catholics during this Mass, further emphasizing the theme of renewal.
Easter Sunday, April 5, will see St. Peter’s Square transformed into a veritable garden. The parvise will be adorned with 65,000 tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, and mini daffodil bulbs; 220 white and orange violets; 7,800 roses, delphiniums, anthuriums, chrysanthemums, gerberas, and matthiolas; 600 branches of plumosa; 80 azaleas; and 600 long branches of willow catkins, eucalyptus, and various types of foliage. This floral extravaganza, a tradition now four decades old, is a gift from the Netherlands and a visual celebration of life’s renewal.
At 10:15 a.m., Pope Leo XIV will preside over Easter Mass, the most joyous celebration in the Christian calendar. Afterward, he will ascend the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver the annual “urbi et orbi” blessing—Latin for “to the city [of Rome] and to the world.” This special apostolic blessing, given each Easter and Christmas, is a moment of unity, hope, and peace for Catholics everywhere.
The festivities continue on Easter Monday, April 6, known as “Monday of the Angel.” At noon, Pope Leo XIV will pray the Regina Caeli, a Marian prayer recited during the Easter season, from a window of the Apostolic Palace. This tradition, both intimate and public, serves as a gentle close to the week’s whirlwind of ritual and celebration.
Throughout Holy Week, the Vatican has opened its doors and airwaves to the world. As Rome Reports noted, the live broadcast of Palm Sunday’s ceremonies allowed millions to join in, no matter their distance from Rome. The combination of ancient ritual and modern technology underscores the Church’s enduring relevance in a rapidly changing world.
For Pope Leo XIV, this first Holy Week is more than a series of ceremonies—it’s a defining moment as he steps into the shoes of his predecessor. The echoes of Pope Francis’ final days linger, but the new pope’s leadership is already shaping the tone and texture of Vatican life. As the faithful journey through the mysteries of Holy Week, they do so with gratitude for the past and hope for the future, guided by the steady hand of their new shepherd.