Due to the global situation, the pope's Holy Week and Easter services will take place inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Altar of the Chair. Pope Francis will lead the events without the presence of pilgrims.
Traditional services will be carried out differently, starting with Palm Sunday. It is usually marked by a papal procession in St. Peter's Square with palm branches and the faithful. This will look quite differently this year, with Mass at 11 a.m., Rome time.
On Holy Thursday, the Chrism Mass will be postponed until after the pandemic. It normally takes place Thursday morning.
Later that evening, the pope will not hold Mass in a prison or another facility, but from the Vatican at 6 p.m., Rome time. The washing of the feet will also not take place.
Likewise, the Way of the Cross will also be prayed from the basilica. They are traditionally prayed by Pope Francis on Good Friday from the Colosseum. They will be at 9 p.m., Rome time.
The Easter Vigil (9 p.m., Rome time) and Easter Sunday Mass (11 a.m., Rome time) will be live-streamed to show the papal celebration of the Eucharist without any pilgrims. At the end of Sunday's Mass, the pope will pray the Regina Coeli and give the Urbi et Orbi blessing for the whole world.
All events will be live-streamed from Rome Reports' website.
Melissa Butz
