Pope Leo's Holy Week: Tradition Meets Fresh Energy

0:00It's March 29th. You're listening to U.S. News Today, AI-powered coverage from across America. I'm Cory with the story. Pope Leo IV, just marked Palm Sunday with a massive crowd of tens of thousands packing St. Peter's Square for his first holy week as Pontiff. The procession rode in with Cardinals, bishops, and folks waving olive branches and palm fronds, kicking off mass right at the obelisk. It's a big moment, echoing Jesus' entry into Jerusalem before the crucifixion. This time last year, Pope Francis was fresh out of a five-week hospital stint for double pneumonia, handing off most ceremonies but mustering one last. Lap in the Pope's Mobile on Easter Sunday, tragically he suffered a stroke and passed the next morning on Easter Monday after thanking his nurse for that final square salute. Pope C. Francis's 12-year run as all about humility and service, like his holy Thursday feet washes in prisons and refugee spots, even for Muslims and others to hit home the

1:02call to the margins. It won praise for mercy but drew flak from critics over the outings. Now Leo, the first U.S. born Pope, is switching back to tradition, doing the holy Thursday ritual as St. John Lateran Basilica, washing priest's feet. Like Benedict and John Paul did. He's also set for good Friday at the Colosseum, Saturday's Easter vigil with baptisms, and Sunday mass plus blessing from the logia. Holy Weeks heating up under Leo's lead, blending old rights with fresh energy as Easter resurrection bives takes center stage for the faithful. Worldwide.