Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday "Way of the Cross" procession in Rome due to health concerns, marking the second time he has missed the event since becoming pope in 2013. The 87-year-old pontiff has been battling ill health for months, including respiratory problems and a recent surgery to remove part of his large intestine. The Vatican announced that Francis would follow the procession from his home to conserve his health for the Easter Vigil and Mass on Easter Sunday, where he is expected to address global crises and threats facing humanity.
Pope Francis skipped a Good Friday service at the last minute "to preserve his health" ahead of major Easter events, following an operation on his abdomen last year and battling bouts of bronchitis, cold, and flu. He had aides read out several speeches and was in the hospital for tests recently. The 87-year-old pontiff presided over the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord at St Peter’s Basilica earlier in the day and followed the Stations of the Cross service from his residence. In his reflections, he addressed contemporary concerns such as online hatred, exploitation of women, and the trauma of war, while appealing for an end to hasty judgment and violent words.
Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy period. The 87-year-old, who has been battling respiratory issues, made a last-minute decision to follow the event from his home at the Vatican. His absence was noted with concern but understanding among pilgrims, and he is scheduled to preside over Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass despite his health challenges.
Pope Francis canceled his attendance at the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum to preserve his health, as he prepares for Easter week engagements. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has been using a cane or wheelchair due to a knee ailment, suffers from recurring bronchitis and influenza. His absence from the procession, which he followed remotely from the Vatican, has raised concerns about his declining strength. Despite this, he has been actively involved in Easter week activities, including writing meditations for the Via Crucis and performing the foot-washing ritual at a women's prison in Rome.
Pope Francis withdrew from the Good Friday procession at the last minute to preserve his health, citing upcoming Easter week engagements. The 87-year-old, who has been using a cane or wheelchair due to a knee ailment, suffers from repeated bouts of bronchitis and influenza. His absence from the Via Crucis procession at the Colosseum was announced as it was about to start, with the pope following it remotely from his Vatican residence. Despite his declining strength, Francis had written the meditations for this year's procession, which included prayers for persecuted Christians and war victims, as well as praise for meekness and forgiveness.
Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to preserve his health ahead of Easter, making a last-minute decision due to concerns about his frail condition. The 87-year-old, who has been battling respiratory issues, will follow the event from his home at the Vatican. This marks the second time he has missed the event, with his health issues raising concerns about his ability to fulfill his duties.
Pope Francis presided over the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica, with Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa delivering a homily on the significance of Jesus' declaration "I Am" and the universal message of Christ's word. Cardinal Cantalamessa emphasized the humility and love demonstrated by Jesus in His Passion and Resurrection, inviting all to find rest and consolation in Him, regardless of their circumstances.
In Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians observed a scaled-down Good Friday with thinner crowds due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, as hundreds participated in the traditional procession through the Old City's limestone walls. The procession, usually drawing thousands of foreign visitors, was mainly attended by local Palestinian Christians and a few tourists, with noticeably fewer Palestinian Christians from the West Bank due to restricted access. The impact of the war was evident at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where entrance was easier than usual. Despite the subdued atmosphere, some tourists and pilgrims braved the day, while worshippers also flocked to the Al-Aqsa mosque for Ramadan prayers, with hopes for peace in the region.
Pope Francis has released his reflections for the Good Friday Stations of the Cross, engaging in a dialogue with Jesus and emphasizing the transformative power of suffering, prayer, compassion, and forgiveness. His meditations focus on various figures and moments along the Via Crucis, highlighting the importance of listening hearts in prayer, finding solace in Jesus amidst life's burdens, and recognizing the courage and greatness of women. The reflections culminate in a message of acceptance, faith, and the reciprocity of love, emphasizing that every act offered to God receives abundant reward.
Ruben Enaje, a Filipino villager, has been nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering, praying for peace in Ukraine, Gaza, and the South China Sea. The annual religious spectacle draws tourists in rural communities in Pampanga province, and Enaje, a 63-year-old carpenter, has become a village celebrity for his role as the “Christ” in the Lenten reenactment. Despite considering ending the ritual due to his age, Enaje continues at the request of villagers to pray for peace and relief from wars, conflicts, and natural disasters, while church leaders in the Philippines have frowned upon the tradition.
In the Philippines, Catholic devotees re-enacted the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, with around 20,000 people gathering to witness the annual event. Actors dressed as Roman soldiers whipped devotees carrying crosses and nailed three individuals, including Ruben Enaje, to crosses in a display of extreme faith. This practice, frowned upon by the Roman Catholic Church, is part of the Holy Week observance in the predominantly Catholic country, where some devotees also engage in self-flagellation as a form of penance.
The U.S. stock market will be closed on Friday, March 29 for Good Friday, with the Treasury market closing early on Thursday. Despite this, stocks scored a strong first-quarter rally, reclaiming record territory. Investors remain anxious for a potential June rate cut by the Federal Reserve, with eyes on the release of February’s PCE gauge, the Fed’s preferred inflation index. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is set to speak on Friday, and economic data points to positive consumer views of the economy and easing inflation.
Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday 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. Earlier on Friday, Francis presided at a two-hour long early evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica. On Saturday night, he is scheduled to preside at an Easter Vigil Mass in the basilica, and on Sunday, he is due to be in St. Peter's Square for a mid-morning Mass.
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.
Despite objections from the Catholic church, a province in the Philippines held bloody crucifixions to uphold a local Good Friday tradition. Eight people were nailed to wooden crosses wearing thorny crowns of twigs as they reenacted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The crucifixions, which were held in San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga, are the province’s first display of religious devotion after a three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bloody tradition draws thousands of devotees and tourists to the Philippines, but church leaders have objected to the crucifixions in the past, noting that devotees can express their devotion by doing charity work instead.
