Due to the continuation of the health emergency, Pope Francis will again celebrate the Holy Week rites at the Altar of the Cathedral, in Saint Peter’s Basilica, in accordance with the following calendar, with the participation of the Cardinals, the Superiors of the Secretariat of State, and a limited number of faithful.
PALM SUNDAY
28 March 2021
Holy Mass and Procession – at 10:00
HOLY THURSDAY
1 April 2021
Chrism Mass – at 10:00
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, to be presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals – at 18:00
HOLY SATURDAY
3 April 2021
Easter Vigil – at 19:30
GOOD FRIDAY
2 April 2021
Passion of the Lord – at 18:00
Way of the Cross – at 21:00
EASTER SUNDAY
4 April 2021
Holy Mass – at 10:00
Urbi et Orbi – at 12:00
This year Pope Francis has entrusted the preparation of the meditations for the Good Friday Via Crucis to the Foligno Agesci Scout Group in Umbria, Italy, and the Roman parish of Santi Martiri di Uganda, announced Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, in a statement today, March 23, 2021.
The images that will accompany the various Stations, the Vatican spokesman added, will be drawings made by children and young people from the “Mater Divini Amoris” Family House and the “Tetto Casal Fattoria” Family House.
The Pope traditionally had done the Good Friday Via Crucis at Rome’s iconic Colosseum, but due to the ongoing COVID19 health emergency, this year, like last year, the Pope’s Via Crucis will take place from the churchyard of St. Peter’s Basilica, with a very limited participation of faithful as Rome currently is under lockdown.
