April 7, 2023 – 7:13 PM
Because of the cold weather, Pope Francis, who was treated for bronchitis in hospital last week, will not take part in Friday evening’s Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum. The 86-year-old head of the Catholic Church watches the ceremony from his suite, MTI reports based on the Vatican statement.
Friday will be the first time the Pope has not led the Via Cruces procession since his election in 2013. During the coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony was held inside the Vatican with fewer participants, but was always led by Pope Francis. The last pope not to participate in the Good Friday ceremony was the second. Janos Pal, whose health did not allow him to leave the Vatican in 2005, was in the last weeks of his life.
Temperatures in Rome are expected to reach 10 degrees Celsius on Friday night. Temperatures have dropped dramatically in recent days, and snow fell on Thursday in some suburbs of Rome.
During the traditional ceremony, the pope usually sits outdoors near the top floor of the Colosseum while the participants walk around the ancient monument. Pope Francis, who appears at two celebrations on Maundy Thursday, usually delivers a homily at the end of the Stations of the Cross in the Colosseum.
The Archbishop spent four days in hospital last week due to respiratory complaints, where he made a quick recovery after treatment with antibiotics.
Pope Francis is scheduled to lead an Easter vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening, and then on Sunday the pope will begin Mass in St. Peter’s Square and say the Orbi and Urbi blessing from the basilica’s central balcony.
