No crowds at Vatican Holy Week ceremonies amid pandemic

Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican this morning. Picture: Giuseppe Lami/Pool photo via AP

Pope Francis is celebrating solemn Holy Week ceremonies without the usual throngs of pilgrims and tourists for the second year running amid pandemic safety concerns and travel restrictions.

The pontiff has celebrated a second Palm Sunday Mass without crowds of faithful at the Vatican, saying that while shock dominated the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, people are now more weary, with the economic crisis growing heavier.