Palm Sunday

He was driven into the huge esplanade, sitting in the back of an open-topped vehicle as it passed through the crowds, before descending and starting the service from his position beneath an ancient Egyptian obelisk.

He was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, and later diagnosed with bronchitis.

An additional 50 others were wounded in the blast at St. George (Mar Girgis) Coptic church in Tanta, it said.

The explosive device was planted under a seat in the church, where it detonated in the main prayer hall.

"Terrorism hits Egypt again, this time on Palm Sunday. Another obnoxious but failed attempt against all Egyptians," the Foreign Affairs ministry tweeted.

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, and marks the start of Holy Week for Christians. Social media video showed crowds gathered outside the church shortly after the attack.

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent that commemorates the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.

In Port Moresby, St Joseph parishioners did a reenactment of the Gospels of Jesus entering Jerusalem before his death.

Palm Sunday is known as such because the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem.

Main celebrant, Fr John Auram, during his homily, said Palm Sunday is a time to reflect on our lives as Christians.

commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where he rode into town on a donkey as crowds of people gleefully greeted him and spread out palm branches in his path.