On Friday, because of the cold weather, Pope Francis did not participate in the evening Stations of the Cross in Rome’s Colosseum, where Catholics commemorate the last hours of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Last Saturday, František was discharged from the hospital after several days of being treated for bronchitis. The doctor did not recommend him to participate in the procession.
Pope Francis presided over a solemn service of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday but will miss the outdoor “Way of the Cross” procession tonight because of the cold weather, the Vatican said in a statement. (Reuters) pic.twitter.com/QGvb5tl9v9
— Voice of America (@VOANews) April 7, 2023
Reuters recalled that this was the first time since his election in 2013 that the pope had not participated in the Stations of the Cross ceremony, which usually lasts more than two hours. He watched the events in the Coliseum from his residence.
Nevertheless, the 86-year-old Pope presided over the Good Friday liturgy of the Remembrance of the Passion of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday afternoon. But he did not deliver the homily. He coughed several times during the service, the AP news agency said.
#Holy Thursday in the Casal del Marmo juvenile prison on the outskirts of Rome. He washed the feet of 12 young people from different countries. pic.twitter.com/52sBo1rhu5
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) April 6, 2023
On Thursday, the Pope washed the feet of twelve inmates at a youth facility in Rome as part of his Easter rites. By washing their feet, Catholics remember the last supper of Jesus Christ with the apostles on Maundy Thursday.
On Saturday evening, Pope Francis must be present for the Easter vigil. On Sunday afternoon, he will deliver his Urbi et orbi (To the City and the World) message.
“Certified bacon geek. Evil social media fanatic. Music practitioner. Communicator.”
