TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass on the …
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Catholic faithfuls attend a Palm Sunday mass at the Monastery of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem's Old City Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Christians walk with palm branches during Palm Sunday in Jerusalem's Old City, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Pope Leo XIV is celebrating Palm Sunday before tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square. The celebration kicks off Holy Week. It began with a procession of cardinals, bishops, priests and laypeople walking into the square carrying olive branches and palm fronds, some intricately braided. Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem in the time leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. For many people, Leo's first Holy Week recalls the final, suffering days of Pope Francis’ life. He died April 21 last year, on what was Easter Monday.
Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on the Catholic feast of Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Jerusalem’s major holy sites are shuttered and families are dejected and exhausted ahead of Passover and Easter as the Iran w…
Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on the Catholic feast of Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on the Catholic feast of Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on the Catholic feast of Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has hosted a monthly Christian prayer and worship service at the Pentagon, the first since the Iran war began. He quoted warlike Scripture and prayed in Jesus’ name. He read a prayer he said was shared with troops who captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It asked for “overwhelming violence” against enemies. Government leaders often use broad religious language, but critics say Hegseth’s specific evangelical framing feels new for his role. On Monday, Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued to obtain records about the Pentagon Christian services. Hegseth also announced chaplain reforms and cuts to the military’s recognized religious affiliations.