Pope Francis denounces ‘folly of war’ in Palm Sunday homily

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Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass before crowds in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since the pandemic, Pope Francis said the "folly of war" leads people to commit "senseless acts of cruelty."

Francis did not explicitly cite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the reference was clear, and he has repeatedly denounced the war and the suffering brought to innocent people.

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"When we resort to violence ... we lose sight of why we are in the world and even end up committing senseless acts of cruelty," the pontiff said during his Palm Sunday homily. "We see this in the folly of war, where Christ is crucified yet another time."

Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 10, 2022.  (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Francis lamented "the unjust death" of husbands and sons, refugees fleeing bombs, young people deprived of a future and "soldiers sent to kill their brothers and sisters."

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After two years of celebrating Palm Sunday Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica without a crowd due to pandemic distancing measures, the solemn celebration returned to the square outside. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists clutched olive branches and braided palms emblematic of the ceremony that recalls Jesus’ return to Jerusalem.

A view of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican as Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday Mass Sunday, April 10, 2022.  (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Traditionally, the pope leads a Palm Sunday procession through St. Peter’s Square before celebrating Mass. Francis has been suffering from a strained ligament in his right knee that has caused him to limp, and he was driven in a black car to the altar, which he then reached leaning on an aide.

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Palm Sunday opens Holy Week leading up to Easter, which this year falls on April 17 and features the Good Friday Way of the Cross Procession.