Pope Francis Skips Good Friday Procession at Rome’s Colosseum Due to Health Concerns, Raising Questions About His Well-Being

Pope Francis has made the decision to skip the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum for the second year in a row due to health concerns, according to the Vatican. This last-minute decision has raised questions about his wellbeing during this busy time. Despite being expected to lead the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion, Francis composed meditations to be read at each station. However, as the event was about to begin, it was announced that he would watch from his residence at the Vatican to conserve his health ahead of the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass.

The Vatican’s Press Office stated that Pope Francis prayed from home to protect his health, despite initially planning to be at the Colosseum. At 87 years old, Francis has been dealing with various health issues throughout the winter, including flu, bronchitis, and cold symptoms. His decision to stay home came as a surprise, given his history of participating in important liturgical events. Despite his recent health concerns, Francis is expected to lead the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass, as well as deliver his annual speech addressing global issues.