AUSTIN (KXAN) – This Sunday is a special day for Christians in Austin and around the world as they celebrate Palm Sunday.

The religious celebration, which falls on the first Sunday before Easter, symbolizes the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem a week before his death.

In Austin church goers gathered to reflect on their faith and pay homage to Christ.

Bishop Joe Vasquez led the Palm Sunday mass at St. Mary Cathedral Parish downtown.

“We can say that this year marks a new beginning for the church because we have a new holy father,” Vasquez said.

In Rome 250-thousand people jammed into Saint Peter’s Square to celebrate Palm Sunday with newly elected Pope Francis.

In his spontaneous style, the pontiff broke from his text and urged the crowd to lead simple lives and help the poor.

He told a childhood story of when his grandmother said to him “No shroud has pockets”… another way of saying “You can’t take it with you.”

The Austin Diocese has events planned throughout the week during holy week.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez will celebrate the following liturgies during Holy Week:

March 24, Palm Sunday: Noon, Mass, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Austin
March 26, Tuesday of Holy Week: 10:30 a.m., Chrism Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Austin
March 28, Holy Thursday: 7:30 p.m., Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Austin
March 29, Good Friday: 2:00 p.m., Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Austin
March 30, Holy Saturday: 8:30 p.m., Easter Vigil Mass, St. Mary Cathedral Parish, Austin