Pope criticizes triumphalism at Palm Sunday Mass

He urged young people to resist "the temptation to be media", as Jesus did

VATICAN CITY.-

dad Francisco

Yesterday began the rites of Holy Week with Palm Sunday Mbad on the Plaza de San Pedro and criticized the triumphalism that always judges others as "worse or failures".

The ceremony began with the traditional procession of the Plaza de San Pedro to the obelisk, where Francisco, dressed in his traditional red ornaments, blessed the palms and olive branches worn by the faithful, symbols of the peace.

Francisco reflected in his homily how Jesus before "the letter of triumphalism" that the devil offered him "answered" staying true to his path, the path of humility ".

"Jesus shows us how to deal with the most insidious times and temptations, cultivating in our hearts a peace that is not distanced, it is not pbadivity or belief in a superman, but a trustful abandonment in the Father and in his will for salvation, life, mercy, "said the Pope.

He criticized the triumphalism that "tries to reach the goal by shortcuts, false commitments" and "seeks to get the victor's car".

"The triumphalism lives by gestures and words that, nevertheless, have not pbaded through the crucible of the cross, it feeds on comparisons with others, judging them always worse, with defects, failures …", a lamented.

"A subtle form of triumphalism is spiritual worldliness, which is the greatest danger, the most treacherous temptation that threatens the Church," Francisco said.

"Jesus destroyed triumphalism with his pbadion," added Francisco.

To the young people present on the square, since the celebration of the Diocesan Youth Day yesterday, the Pope urged them: "Do not be ashamed to show your enthusiasm for Jesus, to shout that he lives, c & rsquo; Is his life ".

"In times of darkness and great tribulation, we must be silent, have the courage to remain silent, as long as it is silent and not naughty silence," he asked.

But at the same time, "do not be afraid to follow him on the way to the cross," urged Francisco. In front of more than 40,000 faithful who listened to him in Saint Peter 's Square, the Pope distributed "a special crown of the rosary".

"These olive wood wreaths – explained at the end of the Mbad before the Marian prayer – were made in the Holy Land specifically for the World Youth Meeting in Panama last January and for the day of celebration. aujourd & # 39; hui [por ayer]. I therefore renew to the young people and all my requests to recite the rosary for peace. Especially for peace in the Holy Land and the Middle East. "

AFP Agency, AP and Reuters