Carcassonne, France
An image of Lt Col Arnaud Beltrame attached to a bouquet of flowers outside the gendarmerie where he worked, two days after Radouane Lakdim carried out an attack in which Beltrame and three other people were killed
CLOSE More than 800 rallies took place around the world Saturday in solidarity with the 'March for Our Lives' rally in the United States. USA TODAY
Pope Francis is cheered by faithful after celebrating a Palm Sunday Mass, at the Vatican, Sunday, March 25, 2018 (Photo: Andrew Medichini, AP)
One day after the March for Our Lives drew more than a million people to rallies around the world, Pope Francis used a Palm Sunday sermon in Vatican City to mark World Youth Day and encourage young people to lead.
The pope urged youths to make sure their voices are heard.
"Dear young people, the joy that Jesus awakens in you is a source of anger and even irritation to some, since a joyful young person is hard to manipulate," Francis said. "The temptation to silence young people has always existed."
Francis warned that an effort would be made to make "invisible" or "anesthetize" young people who demand change.
"There are many ways to sedate them, to keep them from getting involved, to make their dreams flat and dreary, petty and plaintive," the pope said. "Dear young people, you have it in you to shout."
More: Thousands of students walked out and marched across the U.S. What's next?
More: At 1 million plus strong, March for Our Lives rallies make powerful statement
He quoted a Bible passage where Jesus responds to demands that he silence disciples decrying injustice: "If these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Saturday's marches were held in every U.S. state and in scores of international cities demanding an end to gun violence. The rallies were the brainchild of a handful of student survivors from the shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Seventeen students and staff were killed in the Feb. 14 shooting spree.
The student survivors have been demanding safer schools — and a ban on assault weapons similar to the gun police say suspect Nikolas Cruz, 19, a former student at the school, used in the Valentine's Day attack.
Several of the students spoke at the massive rally held in Washington, D.C. Senior Emma Gonzalez read the names of the victims who died at her school. She then stood quietly for several minutes before resuming her speech.
“Since the time that I came out here, it has been 6 minutes and 20 seconds,” Gonzalez said. “The shooter has ceased shooting, and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape, and walk free for an hour before arrest. Fight for your lives before it’s someone else’s job.”
In Rome, students rallied near the U.S. Embassy with signs that included "Protect People, not Guns."
"It is up to you not to keep quiet," the pope said in his sermon. "Even if others keep quiet, if we older people and leaders — so often corrupt — keep quiet, if the whole world keeps quiet and loses its joy, I ask you: Will you cry out?
"Please, make that choice before the stones themselves cry out."
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Holy Week begins this morning with the observance of Palm Sunday, when Christians carry palm branches to recall the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before his crucifixion.
Here are five things to love about Palm Sunday:
The Palms
Commemorating Palm Sunday with palm branches goes back to the early Christian church. It remains a favorite among parishioners, who are handed palm branches as they enter the church at many services.
Palms were a symbol of royalty and nobility in Jesus' day. Those welcoming him to Jerusalem expected a messiah who might overthrow the Romans. The palm is a symbol of the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem just before his crucifixion, as crowds waved palm branches, sang ''Hosannah,'' and covered his path with the branches.
Jesus was later crucified by the Romans with crowds shouting approval, according to Gospel accounts.
Donkeys
Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Unlike the Roman emperors, who rode horses and led military parades, Jesus rode in on a donkey in a statement of peace, humility and solidarity with the people.
Processions
Jesus led a procession into Jerusalem before his Crucifixion, so many Christians take part in processions to commemorate his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. At many churches, parishioners will carry palms in their outdoor processions.
Holy Week begins
Palm Sunday begins the most holy week on the Christian liturgical calendar, leading to Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. Good Friday marks the day of the crucifixion. Catholics and Protestants will celebrate Easter this year on April 1. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate a week later, on April 8.
The Gospel of Matthew
The story of Palm Sunday is told in the Gospel of Matthew, starting in Chapter 21.
Catholics today will have a reading of the Gospel of Matthew, from 26:14 to 27:66, which tells the Passion narrative.
The priest reads the words of Jesus, a narrator reads most of the texts, and the people in the pews read aloud the words of the crowd.
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We all know what Easter Sunday is, but what about Palm Sunday?
Before the rejoicing, Christians remember the fact that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.
Palm Sunday marks the moment when the Son of God entered Jerusalem in triumph riding on the back of a donkey while crowds, who would later call for him to be killed, paid homage to him.
Christians believe it was a week before his death and resurrection, and the events of that day are recalled in special Palm Sunday services each year.
(Image: Getty)
When is Palm Sunday 2018?
Palm Sunday, which falls on March 25 this year, is the first day of Holy Week and the most solemn time in the Christian calendar.
So how does Palm Sunday get its name?
The name Palm Sunday comes from the palm branches that people laid down in Jesus' path as he rode into Jerusalem on the donkey.
Palm branches are a widely recognised symbol of peace and victory, and in Biblical times were often thrown before the feet of a conquering hero in homage. When Jesus arrived in the Holy City, the Gospel writers said the crowds lay palm branches and clothes at his feet to honour him.
It had been predicted in the Old Testament that people would recognise the Messiah when he rode into the city, and they would then lay palms at his feet.
Now during Palm Sunday Mass, palms are distributed to parishioners who carry them in a ritual procession into church. The palms are blessed with holy water. People are now given small crosses, made of palms, to take home with them.
Later these are burnt to create the ashes that are put on people's heads on Ash Wednesday (just before Lent starts) the following year. In parts of the world where palm trees don't grow, flowers or olive branches are used instead.
(Image: Getty)
What about the donkey?
All the Gospels describe Jesus riding into the Holy City on the back of a donkey that had never been ridden before, to show he came in peace not to wage war.
Before he entered the city, he sent two disciples ahead to the village of Bethphage to look for an unbroken colt. They then brought it to Jesus, lay their cloaks on its back so Jesus could ride it into Jerusalem.
In some traditions, a donkey forms part of the Palm Sunday parade.
The crowds shouted Hosanna meaning 'save now' as they believed Jesus was going to save them.
(Image: Getty)
What do you traditionally eat on Palm Sunday?
Pax cakes, which are believed to have originated in Herefordshire, were once handed out by churches after the service on Palm Sunday.
More like biscuits than cakes, they were generally stamped with the image of a lamb and a flag – the symbol of Jesus, the “Lamb of God – and were meant to symbolise peace and goodwill. (The word "pax", in Latin, means peace).
Pax cakes are more like biscuits than cakes and the practice is believed to date back to the Middle Ages, when the little biscuits were handed out with a glass of beer.
Peas or carlings were traditionally consumed on Palm Sunday particularly in northern England and Scotland, so it became known as Carling Sunday (or Car-Sunday in Scotland). Recipes varied according to region, including Pease Porridge, or split pea soup.
Palm Sunday is also known as Fig Sunday because tradition maintains that Jesus cursed a fig tree that would not bear fruit, and ate figs after his entry into Jerusalem. Dried figs are often eaten on the day.
This year Palm Sunday is on March 25. It marks the start of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday is followed by Maundy Thursday on March 29, Good Friday on March 30, Easter Sunday on April 1 and Easter Monday on April 2.
The date of Easter changes each year because it is based on the Lunar calendar.
