Holy Week is the culmination of the Catholic calendar. Countries with Catholic populations around the world have their own distinct ways of celebrating and observing the week based on history and differing interpretations of religious practices and devotions.
For Catholics and many Christian denominations, the sacrifice of life of Jesus Christ and his eventual resurrection is central to Holy Week traditions.
Colombia
Pigeons fly over the plaza outside the Divine Child church during Palm Sunday Mass in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, March, 25, 2018. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. AP/Fernando Vergara
Haiti
People arrive to St Pierre church for Palm Sunday Mass in Petion-Ville, Haiti, Sunday, March 25, 2018. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. AP/Dieu Nalio Chery
Bolivia
An actor playing the role of Jesus' disciple holds up palm fronds during a procession before Palm Sunday Mass in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, March 25, 2018. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. AP/Juan Karita
Mexico
A priest blesses palms held up by worshipers during the celebration of Palm Sunday outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City, Sunday, March 25, 2018. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. AP/Anthony Vazquez
Honduras
Worshippers lead a donkey carrying a figure of Jesus on its back to the Comayagua Cathedral during Palm Sunday celebrations in Comayagua, Honduras, Sunday, March 25, 2018. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. AP/Fernando Antonio
Uruguay
In this March 25, 2018 photo, a gaucho is thrown off a wild horse during the "Criolla del Prado" rodeo during Easter Week in Montevideo, Uruguay. The traditional "jineteadas" have been a popular Holy Week tradition since 1925, and were named a national sport by Uruguayan lawmakers in 2006. AP/Matilde Campodonico
Guatemala
A man tosses a bouquet of flowers on to a religious float during the Jesus of Nazareth procession from La Merced church, in downtown Guatemala City, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. The procession is known as La Resena and is one of the country's earliest Catholic processions, the first recorded in 1721. AP/Moises Castillo
Venezuela
Devotees hold a rope during the procession of the "Nazareno de San Pablo" outside Santa Teresa Cathedral during Holy Week in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. AP/Ariana Cubillos
Israel
Catholic clergy walk during the Washing of the Feet procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many Christians to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem, Thursday, March 29, 2018. AP/Mahmoud Illean
Spain
Devotees known as ''Las Manolas'' wait prior to take part in the procession of the "Exaltacion de La Santa Cruz" brotherhood, during Holy Week in Zaragoza, northern Spain, Thursday, March 29, 2018. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week. AP/Alvaro Barrientos
Young penitents of the ''Hermandad del Senor'' brotherhood take part in the traditional ''Cristo Caido'' Way of the Cross in honour of Christian devotees in the Middle East, prior to Spanish Holy Week, in Pamplona, Spain, Friday, March 9, 2018. AP/Alvaro Barrientos
Philippines
A Filipino hooded penitent places his crown of thorns during Good Friday rituals to atone for sins in San Fernando, Pampanga province, northern Philippines, Friday, March 30, 2018. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. AP/Aaron Favila