Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his health

Hobbled by bad knees and respiratory problems, the pope, 87, also did not take part in procession of cardinals around the obelisk in St Peter’s Square

In Israel, thousands of Christian faithful attended Palm Sunday celebrations at Jerusalem’s sacred Mount of Olives as conflict surges across region

Reading Time:4 minutes

Pope Francis greets cardinals in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome on Palm Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:45am, 25 Mar 2024Updated: 8:18am, 25 Mar 2024

Pope Francis decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square, avoiding a strenuous speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly frail health.

Hobbled by bad knees and persistent respiratory problems, Francis also did not take part in the procession of cardinals around the obelisk in the piazza at the start of the Mass. Instead, the 87-year-old pontiff blessed the palm fronds and olive branches carried by the faithful from the altar.

Francis had been expected to deliver a homily halfway through the service and a prepared text had been distributed to journalists. But when an aide presented Francis with his glasses to begin reading, the pope made clear he would not deliver the remarks, leaving the crowd waiting in silence.

Pope Francis waves during the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome. Photo: EPA-EFE

Vatican officials did not immediately explain why. The Vatican press office later said the homily was replaced by “a moment of silence and prayer”.