Palm Sunday Celebrations at St. Peter’s square

March 23, 2013: The newly elected Pope Francis will celebrate his first Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter's Square on March 24 at 9:30 am. The Province of Savona, Italy, on Palm Sunday will pay tribute with palms to the pontificate of Pope Francis.
The donation of palms each year to the Vatican has a long history, a privilege granted to the region during the pontificate of Pope Sixtus V in 1586. A privilege which the Pope bestowed on captain Sanremo Bresca Benedict, who was noted for his qualities of courage and boldness, an acknowledgment to all his descendants who still sees parmureli gift of community Liguria to the Vatican City.
"The palm leaf woven encompasses multiple meanings - bearers of peace and hope, said the President of the Province of Savona Angelo Vaccarezza. A small palm tree that becomes the link between the land and the afterlife, a symbol for all believers who remember with joy the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, he added.

The branches of the palm, used for the celebration of the rite of Holy Week, are closely tied to the Ligurian tradition of parmureli, a production that is known in the areas of Bordighera and Sanremo embracing the entire area Albenga. A real art that the plot of the palm trees, carried out over the centuries with care and deep devotion. Parmureli in St. Peter's Square have become the symbol of the faith of the people.”

Since 2004, parmureli enrich the altar of the Basilica of St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. Every year the Pope receives the large parmurelu, interwoven with more palm leaves and in a particular shape linked to religious symbols typical of Easter. One hundred and fifty smaller parmureli are donated to the Cardinals.
The parmureli – braided palm - are handmade one by one, according to tradition, by ordinary people who have become "master weaver" over time. The palm leaf woven has not only ornamental value, but a deep religious significance. It brings a message of joy, peace and hope, remembering the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Source: VR Sedoc