Filipino Catholics mark Palm Sunday praying for Pope Francis' health

People wearing face masks and face shields as protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) raise palm fronds after a Palm Sunday mass outside the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 28, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

ANTIPOLO, Philippines (Reuters) - 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 (12.4 miles) east of Manila, hundreds of devotees attended morning mass and waved palm fronds as a sign of discipleship and remembrance of Jesus Christ.