AP PHOTOS: Vatican, Holy Land mark Palm Sunday

Around the world, Christians are marking Palm Sunday with waving fronds, processions and prayer.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him, before his crucifixion.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis ignored his prepared homily and spoke entirely off-the-cuff in a remarkable departure from practice. Later, he hopped off his popemobile to pose for "selfies" with young people in the crowd.

In Jerusalem, worshippers prayed at Deir El Sultan in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.

Here's a gallery of Associated Press images showing celebrations marking Palm Sunday around the world.

___

Follow AP photographers and photo editors on Twitter: http://apne.ws/15Oo6jo