Pope Francis didn’t participate within the Good Friday Approach of the Cross procession on the Colosseum in Rome to “preserve his well being” forward of Easter, the Vatican has stated.
The Pope, 87, was anticipated to preside over the occasion however it was introduced earlier than it began that he was following the procession from his house on the Vatican.
The procession re-enacts Christ’s Ardour and crucifixion, and the Pope composed the meditations which are learn aloud at every station.
“To preserve his well being in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will observe the Through Crucis on the Colosseum this night from the Casa Santa Marta,” an announcement from the Vatican press workplace stated.
The Pope had appeared in good kind earlier within the day for a Good Friday liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica.
He missed final yr’s procession as a result of “extraordinarily chilly climate” in Rome.
The Pope, who had a part of one lung eliminated as a younger man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a chilly in the course of the winter.
For the previous couple of weeks, he has sometimes requested an aide to learn aloud his speeches, and skipped his Palm Sunday homily – elevating issues about his well being.
In addition to his respiratory issues, Pope Francis had a bit of his giant gut eliminated in 2021 and was hospitalised twice final yr, together with as soon as to take away intestinal scar tissue from earlier surgical procedures to handle diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall.
The choice to not attend the Good Friday procession gave the impression to be very last-minute: Pope Francis’ chair was in place on the platform the place he was to preside over the ceremony.
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However 5 minutes earlier than the official begin of the procession, the Vatican press workplace introduced on Telegram he wouldn’t be participating and the chair was shortly taken away.
On Saturday, he is because of preside over a prolonged night Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s, one of the solemn occasions within the liturgical calendar.
He’s additionally as a result of preside over Easter Sunday Mass and ship his Urbi et Orbi – to town and the world – speech rounding up international crises and threats to humanity.
