Pope Leo XIV Completes Way of the Cross at Colosseum, Reviving Decades-Old Tradition

Pope Leo XIV carried a wooden cross for all 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on his first Good Friday as pontiff. This marked the first time in decades that a Pope completed carrying the cross for every station during the procession. The hour-long event drew approximately 30,000 faithful, who gathered outside the Colosseum and followed the stations via loudspeakers.

The Procession

The procession began inside the Colosseum, proceeded through the crowd outside the ancient monument, and concluded on the Palatine Hill. The pontiff delivered the final blessing, accompanied by two torchbearers.

Pope Leo XIV stated that his participation served as an important sign of his role as a spiritual leader and a representation of Christ's ongoing suffering, which he carries in his prayer.

Meditations and Significance

The meditation prepared for the first station, which symbolizes Jesus' condemnation, was written for Pope Leo's first Good Friday by Rev. Francesco Patton. It emphasized the accountability of those in positions of authority to God for their exercise of power, including the capacity to judge, initiate or end conflict, promote violence or peace, and foster revenge or reconciliation.

The Way of the Cross ceremony commemorates the final hours of Jesus' life, encompassing his death sentence, carrying the cross, crucifixion, death, and burial. The procession traditionally concludes atop the Palatine Hill.

Historical Context and Papal Health

Historically, Pope John Paul II carried the cross for the entire procession from 1979 until 1995. His successors varied in their participation; Pope Benedict XVI carried it for the first station during his initial two years, while Pope Francis participated in the procession but did not carry the cross due to health considerations. Pope Francis passed away last year on Easter Monday.

Pope Leo XIV is 70 years old and is described as physically fit, with an active lifestyle that includes playing tennis and swimming. This differs significantly from his immediate predecessors, who were in their late 70s at the beginning of their papacies and experienced health issues.

Upcoming Holy Week Events

Following the Good Friday service, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to preside over a late-night Easter vigil on Holy Saturday, during which new Catholics will be baptized. On Easter Sunday, he is set to celebrate an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square, deliver his Easter message, and impart the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to Rome and the world.