Pontiff urges justice, humility, and peace as Christians mark Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
By A1 News International, Abuja, Nigeria
Pope Leo XIV used Palm Sunday to address the widening gap between rich and poor, calling for justice, peace, and humility worldwide. Speaking from Monaco, the pontiff denounced “structures of sin” that exacerbate inequality, while Christians globally commemorated Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem with processions, prayers, and calls for reconciliation.
Pope Leo XIV Highlights Inequality in Monaco
During his first Western European visit, Pope Leo XIV addressed crowds from the Prince’s Palace balcony, warning against “unjust configurations of power” that deepen divides between the privileged and marginalized. He stressed that wealth must serve law, justice, and peace, referencing ongoing global conflicts destabilizing communities.
The Pope’s visit included meetings at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Church of Saint Devota, along with an open-air mass at Louis II Stadium, drawing thousands. Monaco locals and tourists lined Rue Grimaldi, celebrating the pontiff’s message with flags and church bells.
Global Palm Sunday Observances
In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV reiterated that religion should never justify violence, describing God as a “king of peace.” He warned that prayers of leaders engaged in war contradict Christian teachings, referencing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
In Nigeria, large congregations gathered in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, participating in processions, blessings of palm branches, and open-air services. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called on leaders to show empathy and ease citizens’ economic burdens, emphasizing peace, humility, and sacrifice as central Palm Sunday themes.
Tensions in Jerusalem
Reports from Jerusalem highlighted restrictions on worship, as Israeli authorities blocked the Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass. The Patriarchate condemned the move as a historic violation, drawing international criticism. French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the action, calling for protection of religious freedoms in the city.
The Pope’s Palm Sunday messages emphasize moral leadership in addressing inequality and conflict. For Nigeria and the world, his call for humility and justice highlights the role of faith in guiding social cohesion, particularly amid economic pressures and global unrest.
![Nigerian military prepares to cordon the area where a man was killed by suspected rebel fighters during an attack around the Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, in 2019 [File: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters]](https://a1news.com.ng/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Nigeria-military-on-patrol.webp)
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