Illustration: Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, Pietro Lorenzetti, Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi
Homily of Pope Leo xiv
Palm Sunday: Passion of the Lord – commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem
St Peter’s Square – Sunday, 29 March 2026
Matthew 21:1-11 – This gospel is read at the procession with palms before Mass:
When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village facing you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her: untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them,” and he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Sion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.’
Pope Leo’s Homily
Dear brothers and sisters,
As Jesus walks the Way of the Cross, we follow in his footsteps, placing ourselves behind him.
As we walk alongside him we contemplate his passion for the sake of humanity, his broken heart, and his life as a gift of love.
We turn our gaze to Jesus, who reveals himself as the King of Peace even as war looms around him.
While others stir up violence, he remains steadfast in meekness.
He offers himself to embrace humanity while others raise swords and clubs.
He is the light of the world, even though darkness is about to engulf the earth.
He came to bring life, even though plans are being made to condemn him to death.
King of Peace. Jesus desires is to bring the world into the Father’s arms, tearing down every barrier that separates us from God and our neighbor. After all, “he is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:14).
King of Peace. Jesus entered Jerusalem not on a horse, but on a donkey, fulfilling the ancient prophecy that calls for rejoicing at the arrival of the Messiah: “Behold, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations” (Zech 9:9–10).
King of Peace. When one of his disciples drew his sword to defend Jesus and struck the high priest’s servant, Jesus stopped him immediately, saying: “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
King of Peace. Although he was burdened with our suffering and was pierced for our sins, Jesus “did not open his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and is silent before its shearers.” (Isaiah 53:7).
He did not arm himself, defend himself, or fight in any wars.
Instead, he revealed the gentle face of God, who rejects violence.
Instead of saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross, embracing every cross borne throughout human history in every time and place.
Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, the King of Peace, who rejects war and cannot be used to justify it.
He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war; rather, he rejects them, saying: “Even though you pray much, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:15).
When we look at him who was crucified for us, we see a crucified humanity.
In his wounds, we see the suffering of countless women and men today.
In his final words to the Father we hear the cries of those who are suffering, those who have lost hope, those who are sick, and those who are alone.
Most of all, we hear the painful groans of those oppressed by violence and victims of war.
Christ, King of Peace, cries out again from his cross: God is love! Have mercy!
Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!
In the words of the Servant of God, Bishop Tonino Bello, I would like to entrust this cry to Mary Most Holy, who stands beneath her Son’s cross and weeps also at the feet of those who are crucified today:
“Holy Mary, woman of the third day, grant us the certainty that death will no longer hold sway over us, that injustices are numbered, that war is fading into twilight, and that the suffering of the poor is coming to an end.
Finally, grant that the tears of all victims of violence and pain will soon dry up like frost beneath the spring sun.” (Maria, donna dei nostri giorni).
