Faced with such significant absences, those present not only responded with closeness in prayer but also with a message of joy, defying the rain-laden clouds.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, led the procession, which departed from Bethphage on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives.
Jerusalem Patriarch Pizzaballa Offers Himself as Hostage insidethevatican.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from insidethevatican.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.