Pope Francis will not participate in the Via Crucis, at the Colosseum, in Rome, to protect his health ahead of other Catholic Holy Week commitments, the Vatican said this Friday (29).
In a statement, the Holy See Press Office explains, however, that the Pontiff will be present at the Good Friday ceremony at Casa Santa Marta.
“To stay healthy in view of tomorrow’s Vigil and the Holy Mass on Easter Sunday, this evening Pope Francis will walk the Via Crucis in the Colosseum of Casa Santa Marta” reads the note.
The announcement was made at the last moment, while everyone was waiting for the religious man in one of the main monuments of the Italian capital.
Everything was ready, the security measures along the route from the Vatican, the organization to receive the Pope, the public’s expectation, the massive mobilization of the police forces on site, but the armchair in the usual position seen from above, from where Francis should preside over the Via Crucis, remained empty.
It is the first time that Jorge Bergoglio writes meditations to be read during the 14 seasons, such as the one on “children who no longer smile” due to the “madness of war” and all those who suffer in the drama of conflicts.
In addition to the “many Christs humiliated by arrogance”, “the women who suffer indignation and violence”, the unborn and the “discarded elderly”.
In his texts – especially from the perspective of prayer – the Pope makes a “synthesis” of the suffering of the world, to which one can return in thought by celebrating Christ’s ascent to Calvary and his death on the cross.
At all stations the cross is carried not only by religious people, but also by migrants, the disabled and disadvantaged people. .
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The Via Crucis takes place at the Colosseum in Rome
Photo: ANSA/Ansa – Brazil
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The Via Crucis takes place at the Colosseum in Rome
Photo: ANSA/Ansa – Brazil
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The Via Crucis takes place at the Colosseum in Rome
Photo: ANSA/Ansa – Brazil
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The Via Crucis takes place at the Colosseum in Rome
Photo: ANSA/Ansa – Brazil
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Source: Terra

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