The Pope expresses his spiritual support for Middle Eastern Christians during Holy Week. He condemns the fact that many Middle Eastern Christians are unable to celebrate the rites of Holy Week. Just as the Church reflects on the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today truly share in His sufferings.
Pope Leo XIV made this observation at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican. He drew the Church’s attention to the situation of Middle Eastern Christians, saying that their trials call upon everyone’s conscience. “At the beginning of Holy Week, we are closer than ever in prayer to the Middle Eastern Christians who suffer from the consequences of conflict and in many cases cannot fully observe the sacred rites of Holy Week,” he said. The Pope called on the faithful to join him in prayer to the Prince of Peace, that He may sustain peoples wounded by war and open concrete paths to reconciliation and peace.
Finally, Pope Leo called on the Church to pray for all migrants who have perished at sea, especially those who lost their lives in recent days near the coast of the island of Crete. Conflicts in the Middle East have worsened the situation of migrants in the Mediterranean region. Let us pray for Middle Eastern Christians, especially during this Holy Week.