By Ayomide Otitoju
Christians around the world observed Palm Sunday with vibrant processions, solemn church services, and calls for peace, as this year’s celebrations unfolded against ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The day, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, when, according to tradition, he was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches—a symbol of victory and peace.
At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV used his Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square to condemn war and violence. Addressing tens of thousands of worshippers, he stressed that religion should never justify conflict, describing God as a “king of peace” and urging the faithful to embody that message in a world increasingly marked by division.
“This is our God… a God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” the Pope said, referencing ongoing tensions in Iran and the war in Ukraine. After the Angelus prayer, he also paid tribute to “the Christians of the Middle East, who suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days.”
In Nigeria, congregations gathered in open-air services and church premises across major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Worshippers waved palm fronds, sang hymns, and participated in processions along church grounds and adjoining streets. Clergy blessed the palm branches, which congregants later took home as symbols of faith. Despite economic pressures, attendance remained high, with several churches holding multiple services to accommodate the faithful.
For many Nigerians, the observance was both celebratory and reflective, setting a solemn tone for the days leading to Easter. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) used the occasion to urge national leaders to show empathy and ease citizens’ hardships. In a statement signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN highlighted that Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem symbolised peace, humility, and hope, riding a colt rather than appearing in displays of power.
“Across Nigeria, many are feeling the weight of the times. The cost of living is rising. For countless families, daily life is getting harder,” the statement said. “Events far beyond our borders, especially tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, are unsettling global energy markets. The impact is already here. Fuel is more expensive.”
In Jerusalem, Palm Sunday celebrations faced unusual restrictions. The Latin Patriarchate reported that Israeli authorities prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate mass. The Patriarch, accompanied by the Custos of the Holy Land, Most Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo, was reportedly stopped despite making a private visit without any ceremonial procession.
“For the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the Patriarchate said, calling the incident a “grave precedent” that disregards the sensibilities of billions worldwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the move, stating that worship for all religions must be guaranteed in Jerusalem. “I condemn this decision by the Israeli police, which adds to a worrying series of violations of the status of holy places in Jerusalem,” Macron said on X, referring to the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
