In a last-minute decision, Pope Francis did not attend the traditional Stations of the Cross service at Rome’s Colosseum on Good Friday evening. According to CNN, the Vatican cited the need “to preserve his health” ahead of the major Easter celebrations this weekend as the reason for his absence.
The 87-year-old pontiff has faced ongoing health issues in recent months, including a surgery last year, bouts of bronchitis, cold and flu symptoms that have forced aides to read some of his speeches. His well-being has been closely monitored by officials.
While Pope Francis presided over the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord service earlier on Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican announced just before the evening Stations of the Cross that he would follow the powerful re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion from his residence instead of attending in person.
The Stations of the Cross service is a solemn Good Friday tradition, commemorating the various stages of Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion and death. For the occasion, Francis had prepared meditations reflecting on contemporary themes like war, online hatred, and the exploitation of women through the Biblical lens.
In his writings, the Pope condemned the “madness” and “trauma” of war while pledging solidarity with the poor exploited by “arrogance, injustice and power.” He also lamented rampant online toxicity, appealing for an end to “hasty judgment, gossip, and violent and offensive words.”
Pope Francis made special mention of the women who accompanied Christ, expressing a desire “to recognize the dignity of those women who remained faithful” despite facing injustice and indignity themselves.
While disappointed to miss the powerful Colosseum ritual, preserving the Pope’s energy was clearly a priority for the Easter Vigil on Saturday night and Easter Sunday Mass – two of the highest-profile events on the Christian calendar.
