Francis has decided not to take part in the traditional Stations of the Cross in Rome. The Vatican announced shortly before the Good Friday procession that he was protecting his health.
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Pope Francis took part in the Good Friday procession in the Colosseum Rome canceled for health reasons. The Vatican said the 87-year-old is protecting his health in view of further commitments in connection with Easter. The pontiff is struggling with the consequences of a respiratory infection; He clearly finds it difficult to speak for long periods of time. The Pope had already spoken in a hoarse voice during the long liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday afternoon.
In order to protect his health with a view to the Easter Vigil service on Saturday and the Mass on Easter Sunday, the head of the Catholic Church will follow the procession from his residence in the Vatican, the Holy See announced just a few minutes before the start of the Stations of the Cross devotion.
Observers had already wondered whether the 87-year-old Francis, who had been in poor health for several months, would take part in the “Via Crucis” outdoors. At Easter 2023 he had already given up his participation at short notice. At the time, Francis was just recovering from bronchitis.
Pope Francis took part in the Good Friday procession in the Colosseum Rome canceled for health reasons. The Vatican said the 87-year-old is protecting his health in view of further commitments in connection with Easter. The pontiff is struggling with the consequences of a respiratory infection; He clearly finds it difficult to speak for long periods of time. The Pope had already spoken in a hoarse voice during the long liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday afternoon.
In order to protect his health with a view to the Easter Vigil service on Saturday and the Mass on Easter Sunday, the head of the Catholic Church will follow the procession from his residence in the Vatican, the Holy See announced just a few minutes before the start of the Stations of the Cross devotion.