Pope Francis Does Not Attend Via Crucis in Rome While Tens of Thousands Pray His Meditations
In an apparent last-minute decision, Pope Francis did not attend the Way of the Cross ceremony held at Rome’s Colosseum on Friday, in order to safeguard his health ahead of the upcoming liturgies on Saturday and Easter Sunday.
“To conserve his health in view of tomorrow’s Vigil and the Holy Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from Casa Santa Marta,” a statement from the Holy See Press stated.
The news arrived just as the event was scheduled to begin, where two men were seen carrying away the papal chair, where Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtierei was seen standing in the background. Earlier in the day, Pope Francis presided over the Good Friday Liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica.
This is the second consecutive year that the now-87-year-old Pontiff has skipped the ceremony, coming as his increasingly fragile health has become a central concern.
The Stations of the Cross started promptly at 9:15 p.m. Rome time, with the rest of the program unchanged. There were an estimated 25,000 people in attendance, according to the Holy See Press Office.
In stark contrast to the dark Roman sky, the Colosseum was dramatically illuminated by a series of candles, while the adjacent ruins of the Roman Forum soared under spotlights.
