Vatican's Holy Week and Easter schedule for 2026

Holy Week liturgies leading up to Easter begin with Palm Sunday on 29 March. The Vatican has released its programme of Holy Week and Easter liturgies, the first to be presided over by Pope Leo XIV following his election after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday last year. 2026 Holy Week schedule 29 March: Palm Sunday. The liturgical programme leading up to Easter Sunday begins with Palm Sunday Mass at 10.00 in St Peter's Square. 2 April: Holy Thursday. There will be a Chrism Mass at 09.30 on Holy Thursday, in St Peter's Basilica, with evening Mass at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano at 17.30. 3 April: Good Friday. The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord will be held in St Peter’s Basilica at 17.00. Pope Leo will attend the Via Crucis or Way of the Cross at the Colosseum at 21.15. This solemn candle-light procession - a tradition which dates to the 18th century and was revived in 1964 - attracts thousands of faithful who listen to meditations re-enacting Christ's crucifixion. 4 April: Holy Saturday. The Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica will take place at 21.00 on Holy Saturday. 5 April: Easter Sunday. Mass will be celebrated in St Peter's Square at 10.15, followed by the Urbi et Orbi blessing at midday. For full details of the Vatican's liturgical programe see the official website.  Photo credit: Riccardo De Luca - Update / Shutterstock.com.