Global Faithful Unite to Begin Holy Week 2026
Global faithful unite as Holy Week 2026 begins on Sunday, March 29. The season runs until Easter Sunday on April 5. This year marks the first Holy Week under Pope León XIV.
Overview and context
Pope León XIV was elected in May 2025. The Vatican confirmed his official program for the week. He will preside over the Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square at 10:00.
The pope restored the Maundy Thursday Mass at St. John Lateran. The decision reverses a change made by his predecessor. The move has renewed debate about liturgical tradition.
Security and conflict in the Holy Land
Fighting linked to a conflict with Iran affects the region. Jerusalem canceled its Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa announced the cancellation and the postponement of the Chrism Mass.
The Via Dolorosa remains under tight security. Pilgrim access is restricted after projectiles struck holy sites in recent days.
Dominican Republic: devotion and costs
Santo Domingo’s Catedral Primada de América anchors local observances. Religious tourism grows in Higüey, Bayaguana, and the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia.
Popular expressions include the Gagá in Elías Piña and San Juan de la Maguana. This Afro-Dominican practice blends drumming, dance, and syncretic spirituality.
Traditional desserts remain central to family observance. Preparing habichuelas con dulce for eight to ten people can cost about RD$1,270. The red bean price rose from RD$60 to RD$80 per pound.
To ease food costs, Inespre sold special combos at RD$300. The Dominican Red Cross coordinated “Conciencia por la Vida 2026” with the COE. Road safety operations run from April 2 to April 5.
Guatemala: carpets and processions
In Antigua Guatemala, artisans create elaborate sawdust carpets overnight. They use colored sawdust, flowers, and fruit. These ephemeral works stretch for hundreds of meters.
More than 20 processions will move through Guatemala City’s historic center. Events run from March 29 to April 5. Thousands of faithful will maintain generational traditions.
Spain: processional revival
Seville will host about 70 brotherhoods and over 50,000 nazarenos. Individual brotherhood budgets range from €40,000 to €50,000. Expenses cover flowers, candles, tunics, and accessories.
San Sebastián revived a Holy Week procession after roughly fifty years. Around 400 participants prepare under the Cofradía Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno banner. In Zamora, the “Silence” procession remains widely noted for its austerity.
Philippines: extreme devotion and safety
In Pampanga’s San Pedro Cutud, penitential practices include public flagellation and crucifixions. Church authorities advise less painful forms of penance. For many, these acts represent binding promises called panata.
The Philippine National Police will deploy nearly 60,000 officers. They will cover more than 3,000 tourist sites and Visita Iglesia locations. The operation focuses on crowd control and pilgrim safety.
Mexico and El Salvador: passion plays and devils
Iztapalapa, Mexico City, stages its 183rd Passion Play from March 29 to April 4. The event is now recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In Texistepeque, El Salvador, the Talcigüines perform on March 30. Men in red costumes and masks wield whips. The dramatization ends with Christ defeating the devils in a symbolic climax.
Key dates
| Date | Celebration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 29 March | Palm Sunday | Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem |
| 2 April | Maundy Thursday | Last Supper and foot washing |
| 3 April | Good Friday | Commemoration of Jesus’ death |
| 5 April | Easter Sunday | Celebration of the Resurrection |
Numbers and operations at a glance
- Pope León XIV elected in May 2025.
- Iztapalapa Passion Play: 183rd edition.
- Seville: ~50,000 nazarenos and 70 brotherhoods.
- Philippine security: ~60,000 PNP personnel at 3,000 sites.
- Dominican habichuelas con dulce for 8–10 people: ~RD$1,270.
- Inespre relief combos priced at RD$300.
Filmogaz.com compiled reports from local and international agencies. Coverage highlights how faith, culture, and security intersect worldwide. Global faithful unite as communities mark Holy Week 2026 across continents.
