Pope Francis Absent from Good Friday Procession at Colosseum

Pope Francis missed the traditional Good Friday nighttime procession at the Colosseum due to chilly weather in Rome, staying instead at his home at the Vatican while thousands of faithful turned out for the torchlit event. This was the first time a pontiff was a no-show at the Colosseum Way of the Cross procession since 2005. The Vatican had said Francis would preside at the ancient Roman arena at the procession that recalls Jesus' suffering before his crucifixion and death on a cross. Earlier on Friday, Francis presided at a two-hour-long early evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica.