Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.
Quick Read
- Pope Francis’ Health Concerns: Pope Francis abstained from attending the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum due to health concerns, highlighting ongoing issues with his well-being.
- Event Absence: This year marks the first time Pope Francis has missed the Way of the Cross procession during his 11-year papacy, an event that symbolizes Christ’s Passion and crucifixion.
- Vatican Statement: The Vatican communicated that the Pope would follow the event from his residence to conserve his energy for upcoming liturgical services, emphasizing the importance of his participation in the Easter vigil and Sunday Mass.
- Historical Precedent: The situation mirrors a previous instance when St. John Paul II watched the Good Friday event from the Apostolic Palace shortly before his passing in 2005.
- Health Struggles: The 87-year-old pontiff, who has a history of lung issues, has faced recurring health challenges this winter, including flu and bronchitis symptoms, leading to adjustments in his public speaking engagements.
- Last-Minute Decision: The decision for Pope Francis not to attend the Good Friday event was communicated shortly before its commencement, indicating a sudden change in plans.
- Adjustments at the Event: Preparations had been made for the Pope’s attendance, including setting up his chair and arranging for televised coverage, which were quickly altered following the announcement of his absence.
The Associated Press has the story:
Vatican: Pope skips Good Friday event to preserve health ahead of Easter
Newslooks- ROME (AP) —
Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.
Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. But just as the event was about to begin, the Vatican announced that Francis was following the event from his home at the Vatican.
“To conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from the Casa Santa Marta,” a statement from the Vatican press office said.
It was the first time he had skipped the traditional, evocative event in his 11-year papacy, and recalled the Good Friday that St. John Paul II famously watched from the Apostolic Palace just before he died in 2005.
The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold all winter long. For the last several weeks he has occasionally asked an aide to read aloud his speeches and skipped his Palm Sunday homily altogether.
The decision to not attend the Good Friday procession appeared to be very last-minute: Francis’ chair was in place on the platform where he was to preside over the rite. His closest aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, was on hand and moved the television screen around on the platform so Francis would have a better view of what was going on inside the Colosseum itself.
But at 9:10 p.m., five minutes before the official start of the procession, the Vatican press office announced on Telegram that he wouldn’t show up. The chair was quickly taken away.
The hasty announcement recalled Francis’ last-minute decision on Palm Sunday, when the Vatican issued the pope’s homily in advance to journalists, and his aide got up to give him his glasses to read it, when Francis made clear he was skipping it.
