BBC News | EUROPE | In pictures: Palm Sunday

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Sunday, 24 March, 2002, 19:26 GMT

In pictures: Palm Sunday

Christians across the world have been celebrating Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Easter week, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
The day commemorates the moment when excited crowds laid palm leaves at Jesus' feet as he entered Jerusalem, hoping he would liberate them from Roman rule.

For the first time in his papacy, Pope John Paul chose to limit his participation at the Vatican's Palm Sunday Mass, and read his homily from a chair. The Mass was officiated instead by Cardinal Camillo Ruini.

Pope John Paul II rides his pope-mobile during celebrations in St. Peters square

A child is raised amid palms near St Anne's church, Jerusalem

Worshippers on the Mount of Olives

Locals at the Gorka Klasztorna monastery in northern Poland re-enact the crucifixion

Catholics near Manila wave palms as they await a blessing by a priest

Statues of the apostles are carried by Catholics dressed in ancient costumes

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