Pope Benedict: Palm Sunday, an outlook on humanity
Pope Benedict XVI presided over of Palm Sunday celebrations in St Peter’s Square before
thousands of people who carried palms and olive branches as is tradition. On a spring
day in Rome a solemn procession made up a Cardinals, Bishops and priests made its
way around the square on this Sunday which marks the start of Holy Week.
As
the choir sang the “Hosanna” Pope Benedict wearing in red vestments as is customary
for Palm Sunday blessed the palms and the olive branches from the Pope mobile.
Palm
Sunday also marks Passion Sunday and 3 deacons recounted Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem
up until his death on the Cross.
In his Homily the Holy Father posed a question
to those gathered, " Who is Jesus of Nazareth for us?” He then went on to say, “What
idea do we have of the Messiah, what idea do we have of God? It is a crucial question,
one we cannot avoid, not least because during this very week we are called to follow
our King who chooses the Cross as his throne. We are called to follow a Messiah who
promises us, not a easy earthly happiness, but the happiness of heaven, divine beatitude.
So, he said we must ask ourselves: what are our true expectations?
The
Pope also explained that Palm Sunday offers us the invitation to adopt a proper outlook
upon all humanity, on the peoples who make up the world, on its different cultures
and civilizations.
As well as being Palm Sunday it is also diocesan World
Youth Day and Pope Benedict made particular mention of young people in this Homily
saying, " Dear young people, present here today, this, in a particular way, is your
Day, wherever the Church is present throughout the world. So I greet you with great
affection! May Palm Sunday be a day of decision for you, the decision to say yes
to the Lord and to follow him all the way, the decision to make his Passover, his
death and resurrection, the very focus of your Christian lives. It is the decision
that leads to true joy, as I reminded you in this year's World Youth Day Message -
"Rejoice in the Lord always".
Following Mass, Pope Benedict, before reciting
the Angelus prayer, again especially greeted young people in a number of languages
including English and wished all those present a Happy Easter.
“I am pleased
to greet all of you, especially the many young people who have come here to pray with
me. This Holy Week, may we be moved again by Christ’s passion and death, put our
sins behind us and, with God’s grace, choose a life of love and service to our brethren.
God’s blessings upon you!” Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s report