No Via Crucis for Pope Francis, who followed the event at the Colosseum from Casa Santa Marta "to preserve his health in view of the Vigil and Holy Mass on Easter Sunday".
The communication arrived at the last moment last night from the Vatican press office, while everyone was waiting for the Pontiff at the Colosseum for the traditional Good Friday rite. Everything was ready, the security device along the route from the Vatican, the organization ready to welcome the Pope, the public waiting, the massive deployment of the police forces on the site : but the armchair on the usual position from above, from which Francis was supposed to preside over the Via Crucis, remained empty . Pope Bergoglio, among other things, wrote for the first time the meditations read during the journey of the cross: there are "the children who no longer smile" due to "the madness of war" and all those who suffer in the drama of conflicts.
There are the "many Christs humiliated by arrogance". There are women "who suffer outrage and violence". But also "unborn children" and "discarded elderly people". And there are also "haters" who rage on social media. The Pope gives a summary of the sufferings of the world, to which one can return in thought while commemorating Christ's ascent to Calvary and his death on the cross. Along the 14 stations the cross is carried not only by religious people, but also by migrants, disabled people and disadvantaged people. Also accompanying her was the cardinal vicar of Rome Angelo De Donatis.
«Jesus, may this prayer of intercession reach the sisters and brothers who in many parts of the world suffer persecution because of your name; those who suffer the drama of war and those who, drawing strength from you, carry heavy crosses", states the Pontiff in the meditations read during the journey of the cross.
(Unioneonline/D)