Pope Leo XIV to Lead Holy Week and Easter 2026 Celebrations at the Vatican

VATICAN CITY, March 2026 — Pope Leo XIV is set to preside over the liturgies of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum for the first time as pontiff, marking a defining moment in his papacy. This sacred period, spanning from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday, commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and draws thousands of faithful to the Vatican each year.

Palm Sunday: Beginning of Holy Week

The Holy Week observances will begin on March 29 with Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday. Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10 a.m., marking the formal start of the liturgical journey.

The celebration will open with a grand procession of clergy and laypeople carrying olive branches and intricately woven palm fronds, symbolizing Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Vatican is expected to distribute around 120,000 olive branches to the faithful present. Following the Mass, the pope will lead the Angelus prayer, continuing the long-standing Sunday tradition.

Holy Thursday: Chrism Mass and Lord’s Supper

Holy Thursday, observed on April 2, marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum. The day will start with the Chrism Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Leo XIV, as Bishop of Rome, will bless the holy oils used in sacraments throughout the year.

In the evening at 5:30 p.m., he will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome. This return to the traditional venue restores a long-standing practice. The Mass commemorates the Last Supper and highlights humility and service, often symbolized through the ritual washing of feet.

Good Friday: Passion and Stations of the Cross

On Good Friday, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at 5 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. This solemn service includes the reading of the Passion narrative, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.

Later in the evening at 9:15 p.m., he will lead the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome. Thousands of faithful holding candles will gather around the illuminated monument as they reflect on Christ’s journey to Calvary, making it one of the most moving events of Holy Week.

Holy Saturday: The Easter Vigil

Holy Saturday will culminate in the Easter Vigil Mass at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica, regarded as the most important liturgy of the Christian calendar.

The vigil begins in darkness with the blessing of a new fire and the lighting of the Paschal candle. Clergy and faithful will process through the basilica holding candles, symbolizing the light of Christ overcoming darkness. The liturgy includes readings from salvation history and often features the baptism of new members into the Church, emphasizing renewal and rebirth.

Easter Sunday: Celebration of the Resurrection

Easter Sunday, the pinnacle of the liturgical year, will be celebrated with a Mass at 10:15 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square. The venue will be beautifully decorated with thousands of flowers from the Netherlands, continuing a tradition of more than 40 years.

Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV will deliver the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. This special apostolic blessing, meaning “to the city and to the world,” is broadcast globally and conveys a message of peace, unity, and hope.

Easter Monday: Regina Caeli Prayer

The celebrations will conclude on Easter Monday, also known as the “Monday of the Angel.” At noon, Pope Leo XIV will recite the Regina Caeli prayer from a window of the Apostolic Palace.

This Marian prayer, recited during the Easter season, reflects the joy of the Resurrection and replaces the Angelus prayer during this period.

Pope Leo XIV’s first Holy Week as pontiff is expected to draw global attention, serving as a powerful expression of faith and leadership. Through these sacred liturgies, he will guide millions in reflecting on sacrifice, renewal, and the triumph of life over death.

Team Maverick