Rome Newsroom, Apr 7, 2023 / 09:10 am
Pope Francis will not be attending the annual Good Friday Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum this year due to cold weather, according to the Vatican.
The Holy See Press Office released a statement on April 7 saying that the pope will follow the meditations for the Way of the Cross from his residence, Casa Santa Marta, and will join his prayers with those who will gather at the Colosseum for the Roman Holy Week tradition.
The pope’s canceled Good Friday appearance comes one week after he was hospitalized for three nights in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was treated for bronchitis.
Despite last week’s sickness and hospitalization, the Vatican had originally announced that the 86-year-old pope would maintain a full schedule of liturgies and audiences for Holy Week.