Pope Francis’ Masses during Holy Week 2024: Schedules, how and where to watch live in the USA
The most important days of the Christian calendar have arrived. These are the schedules of Pope Francis’ masses for Holy Week 2024: How and where to see.
The most important days of Lent have arrived. Starting with Sunday, March 24 and going through March 31, the Catholic Church will be commemorating the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ through Holy Week. This period, of seven days, begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday.
Throughout the week, Christians hold special celebrations to remember the life of Jesus Christ. Among them, the masses of the highest Pontiff, Pope Francis, from Rome stand out. Below, we share the liturgical calendar for the most sacred week of celebration in the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis' Masses during Holy Week: Times and dates
According to the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the distribution of the masses is as follows:
- March 28: Holy Thursday Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m. (Rome time) / 4:30 a.m. ET
- March 29: Good Friday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 5:00 p.m. (Rome time) /12:00 p.m. ET
- March 29: Via Crucis at the Roman Colosseum at 9:15 p.m. (Rome time) /4:15 p.m. ET
- March 30: Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at 7:30 p.m. (Rome time) / 2:30 p.m. ET
- March 31: Holy Mass on Resurrection Day in St. Peter's Square at 10:00 a.m. (Rome time) / 4:00 a.m. ET
How and where to see Pope Francis' Masses from the USA?
All the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week 2024 can be followed completely live through the Vatican’s YouTube channel, Vatican News. For more information information, visit the official website of the Vatican.
How is Holy Week celebrated in the USA?
The most popular celebration of Holy Week in the United States occurs on Easter Sunday. On this date the famous Easter eggs are usually decorated and hidden. However, none of the days druing Holy Week, nor Easter Sunday are federal holidays. However, 12 states recognize Good Friday, 29 March, as a holiday.
Good Friday is a registered stock market holiday and the markets will not operate on that day. Supermarkets and restaurants, as well as government offices and the post office, usually remain open. However, some businesses may modify the hours when they are open.
Although it is not a holiday in all states of the country, many observe the day by fasting and attending religious services and traditional church reenactments. Many commemoration events include processions where the Way of the Cross is reenacted.