Palm Sunday News: Pope Francis Remembers John Paul II, Poses For 'Selfies' With Followers At Vatican

Pope Francis gave mass in St. Peter's Basilica in honor of Palm Sunday, the day the Church remembers as Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Between olive and palm branches has marked the start of the Christian Easter rituals celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a week of liturgical services. Thousands gathered in the square outside the Basilica to hear Pope Francis' message, which included an homage to one of his predecessors, Pope John Paul II.

Pope Francis made numerous references to the scripture during the two and a half-hour long ceremony. "Has my life fallen asleep?" Francis asked after listening to a Gospel account of how Jesus' disciples fell asleep shortly before he was betrayed by Judas. "Am I like Pontius Pilate, who, when he sees the situation is difficult, washes my hands?" Pope Francis also urged followers to ask "Where is my heart?" as the "question which accompanies us" throughout Holy Week.

Dressed in red as dictated by Palm Sunday tradition, Pope Francis referenced his predecessor, Pope John Paul II: "John Paul II will continue to be a friend and a father for all the young people in the world." He then proceeded to espouse what the Huffington Post calls a very "off-the-cuff" speech. He then hopped of the so-called 'popemobile' to mix with the crowd, even posing for "selfies" with various followers and sipping tea passed to him from the crowd.