Filipino Catholics mark Palm Sunday praying for Pope Francis’ health

Thousands of Filipino Catholics attending church on Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week with prayers for the health of Pope Francis as they presented palm fronds to be blessed.
At a church in Antipolo City about 20 km east of Manila, hundreds of devotees attended morning mass and waved palm fronds as a sign of discipleship and remembrance of Jesus Christ.
Once blessed, the palms are placed outside worshippers’ homes in the belief they will ward off evil spirits.
Filipino Catholics this year offered prayers for Pope Francis, who was hospitalised on Wednesday after complaining of difficulty breathing.
The pope was discharged from hospital on Saturday after successful treatment for a severe bout of bronchitis and attended a Palm Sunday service in St Peter’s Square.