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Pope Leo XIV has prayed for seafarers who have died as a result of the Middle East conflict as well as for those who have sustained injuries and their families. In his Angelus address from St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Palm Sunday (29 March 2026), which was also posted on his official X account, the Pontiff said: "I also wish to entrust to the Lord the maritime workers who have fallen victim... Read More

The mural opposite the church, painted last September by local artists, was looking a little worse for wear. So, with Holy Week and Easter in mind, our mystery parish artists returned with a special message of love for Staines. Sure, it's no Banksy, but we hope that all who pass by will feel loved and uplifted as they head off to work, school, or leisure. Staines is our home, a place where strang... Read More

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land hereby confirm that the matters concerning the Holy Week and Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been addressed and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities. In agreement with the Israel Police, access for representatives of the Churches has been secured in order to conduct the liturgies and... Read More

Gospel of 30 March 2026 John 12:1-11 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The hous... Read More

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. During his homily he reflected on Jesus as the King of Peace who rejects war and refuses to listen to the prayers of those who wage war. At the end of the Mass before the Angelus, Pope Leo read a heartfelt appeal for peace and called for prayers for all the victims of war. In his homily, Pope Leo said th... Read More

Lectio: Vexilla Regis As we begin Holy Week, moving onwards from Palm Sunday, it seems highly appropriate to reflect on an ancient processional hymn, which is one of the great treasures of the Latin liturgy, but has also been very successfully translated in English. This is the hymn, Vexilla Regis, which dates back to the 6th century. Originally composed by the poet and bishop of Poitiers Venantiu... Read More

"Let us not grow accustomed to the clamour of weapons and images of war!" Pope Leo XIV made this powerful appeal to the faithful of Monaco during the Mass he celebrated at Louis II Stadium during his one-day visit to the Principality. In his homily, the Pope stressed: "Every life cut short wounds the body of Christ," and reminded that, "Peace is not merely a balance of power; it is the work of pu... Read More

The Ecumenical Partnership of St Giles Cripplegate, Jewin Welsh Church, St Joseph's Catholic Church, and Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission, on the edge of the City of London, will celebrate their annual contemporary form of Tenebrae, Spy Wednesday, 1 April, 2026, at 8.30pm. The candlelight service, with the Lamentation chants of Jeremiah and modern readings, takes place in St Giles Cripplegate C... Read More

The Archbishop of Westminster, Most Rev Richard Moth, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Bishop Jim Curry have all expressed their grave concerns after the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in Jerusalem by Israeli police today. Archbishop Richard Moth said: "I share the pain of the people of the Holy Land who meet in peace to celebrate their faith. Today, the L... Read More

As all Holy Week processions and public services have been cancelled this year in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - Friends of the Holy Land have brought together a series of beautiful videos filmed in the Holy Land, exploring the places, as they appear today, that Jesus would have journeyed through on His way to the cross. The one shows us the place where Jesus stopped on the Mount of Olives and w... Read More

Unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem today - after being prevented by Israeli police from enter the Church - the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem led the solemn celebration of Palm Sunday live from the Basilica of All Nations in Gethsemane. He noted that at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed in the garden, we begin Holy Week with a s... Read More

Israeli police this morning stopped the two Catholic Church leaders in the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued this statement: This morning, the Israeli Police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, to... Read More

Gospel of 29 March 2026 Matthew 27:11-54 At that time: Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, the governor, and the governor asked him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus said, 'You have said so.' But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, 'Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?' But he gave him no answer, not even to a si... Read More

The All Kinds of Catholic podcast community met in person last weekend for the first time. Afterwards people who attended were asked in a feedback survey if they were glad they had been there. Unanimously, they said Yes! Theresa Alessandro, creator and host of the weekly podcast, reports: "It was a joy to be with just some of our pod community of listeners and guests. For me, it was good to hear d... Read More