Pope Francis cancels his participation in the Stations of the Cross at the last minute

Pope Francis, 87, canceled his participation in the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome on Friday March 29. “To preserve his health in view of tomorrow’s vigil and Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will follow the Stations of the Cross this evening at the Colosseum from the Sainte Marthe Residence”announced the Vatican in a press release.

At the time of the announcement, which came just seconds before the start of the ceremony, organizers removed the pope’s chair from a hill in front of the Colosseum. In front of the spectacular setting of the illuminated Roman amphitheater, thousands of faithful from many countries, often with candles in hand, gathered in silence to witness this highlight of Holy Week which precedes Easter.

On Friday afternoon, the head of the Catholic Church presided over Good Friday mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican as planned. In 2023, the Argentine Jesuit had already canceled his participation for health reasons, a few days after a three-day hospitalization for bronchitis, but this decision had been communicated in advance, unlike this time.

On Sunday morning, Jorge Bergoglio is due to preside over Easter mass in St. Peter’s Square before giving the “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the city and to the world”) blessing, during which he usually reviews international conflicts.