Pope Francis has chosen not to attend the traditional Via Crucis ceremony on Good Friday at the Colosseum in Rome due to health concerns. The decision was made after the pontiff’s recent delicate health condition, as reported by the Press Office of the Holy See just before the ceremony began. Despite this, Pope Francis personally wrote the meditations for the Via Crucis, a task he had entrusted to others in previous years.
The Via Crucis ceremony commemorates the passion of Jesus Christ from his arrest to his crucifixion and burial in the tomb, with 14 stations representing Calvary. The representation takes place at night in the Roman Colosseum and has been a concern due to recent heavy rain and cold temperatures, which have improved in the days leading up to the ceremony.
Pope Francis typically observes the ceremony silently, without direct participation. However, this year he has been advised to take precautions to avoid any health risks following his experience of respiratory problems following a recent bout of flu. Despite participating in Holy Thursday masses and ceremonies, including washing the feet of inmates at a women’s prison in Rome, Pope Francis has limited his public appearances during Holy Week.
While it is significant that Pope Francis will not be present at the Via Crucifix ceremony, his commitment to fulfilling his duties while also caring for himself remains evident through his scheduled presence at other key Holy Week celebrations such as Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses.
