Pope Francis Skips the Homily during Palm Sunday Mass but Prays for Peace at the Angelus after Mass

Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday Holy Mass in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square, beginning Holy Week for the Catholic Church. The procession that commemorates the Lord's entry into Jerusalem preceded the Mass whose Gospel passage presents the story of the Passion of Christ.
The pope did not give his usual homily but did pray the Angelus prayer directly after Mass.

SEE ALSO: FULL TEXT Palm Sunday Angelus - Pope Francis says "Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus entered https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2024/03/pope-francis-says-dear-brothers-and.html

Approximately 60,000 attended in St. Peter's Square, at the open air the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass. The Gospel from the evangelist Mark was read, and which precedes the celebration of Mass on Palm Sunday. The Pope blessed and sprinkled, with Holy Water, the olive branches, a symbol of the day, which those present hold in their hands. The procession follows with over 400 palm "bearers" who head towards the churchyard from the center of the square. The cardinals, bishops and concelebrating priests take their places next to the altar.

During the procession the following is sung: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 

The 87-year-old pope has had difficulty for weeks with difficulties in breathing and speaking, related to what the Vatican has explained are colds, the flu, and bronchitis. He has also had aides to read his prepared texts aloud at many public events.

At the end of the celebration, directly from the churchyard of the Basilica, Francis prayed the Angelus prayer and message, before imparting his blessing and making a wide tour in the Popemobile to greet the faithful and pilgrims who acclaim him in the square.

For his Angelus message, Francis said he was praying “for the victims of the vile terrorist attack carried out the other night in Moscow,” he spoke of the attack on a concert hall Friday night which left 133 people dead and another 140 wounded. Responsibility for the assault has been claimed by the Islamic State, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed, that Ukraine may have been involved. The Pope also said, “Please, do not forget the tormented Ukraine. And let us think about Gaza, which suffers so much, and so many other places of war.”