Holy Week begins in Rome with Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by the pope.
Pope Francis led this procession which is a remembrance of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem before his Passion.
In his homily, the pope explained that the joy that accompanies the experiences of Christ is not always welcome.
POPE FRANCIS
'It is an unbearable joy for those hardened against pain, suffering and misery. Many of these think to themselves, 'Look at such rude people!' It is a intolerable joy for those who have forgotten the many chances they themselves had been given.'
The pope also said this attitude makes people feel righteous and superior to others. The cry comes from slander and false witness.
POPE FRANCIS
'Here comes the shouting from those who don't tremble their voice to shout: 'Crucify him!' It is not a spontaneous cry, but an assembled cry, armed with disparagement, with slander and that which provokes false witness. It is the cry of those who twist reality and invent stories for their own convenience, without concern for the good name of others.”
On Palm Sunday, World Youth Day is also traditionally celebrated. Therefore, there were many young people in the square both for this event and also because the pre-Synod meeting had just concluded. These young people gave Pope Francis the final document of their week of work in Rome.
As the pope is not always this close-by, the young people took the opportunity to take a selfie to share the encounter. Pope Francis responded with this nice comment.
POPE FRANCIS
'You have seen. Today you cannot imagine a young person who does not take 'selfies.''
The pope asked the young people not to remain silent and not allow anyone to remain silent. He also encouraged them to continue preparing for WYD in Panama in 2019.
