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Pope Francis skips traditional Palm Sunday homily during Mass
Pope Francis broke tradition during the start of Holy Week on Sunday, skipping a reading of his annual Palm Sunday homily during Mass at the last minute.
Reuters reported that the pontiff was in front of tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square when he skipped the homily but continued to run the service before heading out in the popemobile and circling the crowd.
The 87-year-old pope has suffered in recent weeks from bronchitis and influenza, leading to him having an aide read his addresses for him.
On Sunday, though, Francis’ prepared text was not read at all.
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Pope Francis at his weekly audience in the Vatican on Feb. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, then leads to Easter. It is unusual for a pope to skip a homily at an event with so much importance.
The Vatican did not provide an explanation for why Francis skipped the homily, and rather than point the cameras at the pontiff, they were pointed at the crowd for a few minutes.
An announcer then said on Vatican Radio that Francis decided not to read the homily. Still, he continued to preside over the service and read parts of the Mass.
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Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The service, which includes cardinals, priests and bishops, commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem days before he was betrayed by Judas, put on trial and crucified on the cross.
Vatican police estimate there were about 60,000 people in the crowd, many holding palms and olive branches during the service.
Following the Mass, the pope delivered the weekly Sunday Angelus message and blessing from the altar, rather than from a window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square, though that is not unusual when major events take place.
While giving the prayer, Francis condemned an attack at a concert hall near Moscow resulting in the deaths of more than 130 people, calling the massacre a vile and inhuman act that offends God.
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He also asked for prayers for those suffering in Gaza, Ukraine and other areas of war.
After the service, Francis took a ride around the square in an open-top vehicle while waving and smiling at the crowd.
Reuters contributed to this report.
INTERNACIONAL
White House backs Israel’s decision to halt Gaza aid shipments until Hamas accepts ceasefire extension
The White House is supporting the Israeli government’s decision to block aid to Gaza until Hamas leaders agree to a ceasefire extension, according to a newly-released statement.
In a statement obtained by Fox News on Sunday, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said that Israel has «negotiated in good faith since the beginning of this administration to ensure the release of hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists.»
«We will support their decision on next steps given Hamas has indicated it’s no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire,» Hughes added.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli officials announced that they are stopping the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip and warned Hamas it would face «additional consequences» if it does not accept a new proposal for an extended ceasefire.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on Dec. 9, 2024. (Maya Alleruzzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
«With the conclusion of the 1st stage of the hostages deal and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the [U.S. Mideast envoy Steve] Witkoff framework for the continuation of the talks, to which Israel agreed, PM Netanyahu decided: as of this morning, entry of all goods & supplies to the Gaza Strip be halted,» Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on X.
«Israel will not allow a ceasefire without a release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences,» the post added.
Hamas accused Israel of attempting to derail the fragile truce, saying its decision to cut off aid was «cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack on the (ceasefire) agreement.»
«The occupation’s announcement of halting the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip is yet another confirmation of its failure to uphold its commitments and its evasion of obligations under the ceasefire agreement,» Hamas said in a statement. «This reflects its ugly criminal face and constitutes a continuation of the genocide against our people, as well as an act of blackmail targeting an entire population by depriving them of food, water, and medicine.»
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which included an uptick in humanitarian assistance, expired on Saturday. The two sides have not yet negotiated the second phase, in which Hamas was called to release dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout and a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas terrorists take up positions ahead of a hostage release in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)
An Israeli official said the decision to suspend aid was made in coordination with the Trump administration.
Israeli officials said earlier on Sunday that they support a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, or April 20. They said the proposal came from the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Under that deal, Hamas would release half the hostages on the first day and the remainder when an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire, according to Netanyahu’s office.
In the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israeli also pulled back forces from most of Gaza and allowed a surge of humanitarian aid to enter the region.
But the first phase also featured various disputes, as each side accused the other of violating the ceasefire.
Hamas now says Israel committed another violation by suspending aid. The terror group said deliveries were supposed to continue as the two sides negotiated the second phase of the ceasefire.
HAMAS RELEASES MORE HOSTAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR MORE THAN 600 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASEFIRE DEAL
Hamas fighters stand in formation as Palestinians gather on a street to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on Feb. 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people and abducting more than 251. Hamas still has 59 hostages, 32 of whom are believed to be dead.
Israel’s offensive into Gaza in response to Hamas’ attack has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run government’s Gaza Health Ministry. It does not specify how many of the dead were terrorists or civilians.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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