PhotoBlog: Palm Sunday observed around the world

Sebastian Scheiner / AP

Catholic priests carry palm fronds at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old city, April 1. Palm Sunday marks for Christians Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion.

The day's events began with a mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher ? revered as the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Several hundred worshippers and clergy lit candles and waved palm fronds in the dark, cavernous church.

"It's the holiest place in the world for Christians and it's important for me to come here at least once in my lifetime," said Etienne Chevremont, 49, a visitor from Paris who attended the Jerusalem Mass.

-- Reported by the Associated Press

Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters

A woman prays on a hill with wooden crosses after a procession celebrating Palm Sunday in the town of Oshmiany, 88 miles northwest of Minsk, Belarus, April 1.

Kacper Pempel / Reuters

Women hold palm fronds as they take part in a Mass celebrating Catholic Palm Sunday at Saint Anna church in Warsaw, Poland, April 1.

Vincenzo Pinto / AFP - Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI leaves after celebrating the Palm Sunday mass in St Peter's square at the Vatican, on April 1. Palm Sunday marks the start of the holy week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jon Nazca / Reuters

Spanish actor and director Antonio Banderas, center, sings a song to the Virgin inside a church as he takes part as a penitent in the "Lagrimas and Favores" brotherhood in a Palm Sunday procession at the start of Holy Week in Malaga, southern Spain, April 1. Hundreds of processions take place around the clock in Spain during Holy Week, drawing thousands of visitors.

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