ROME — Pope Francis remained at home instead of presiding at the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday (small cross) at the Colosseum in Rome, as previously announced.
The Vatican’s Press Office said in a statement: “This is to maintain his health in preparation for tomorrow’s Vigil and Easter Mass.” statement“Pope Francis will follow the Stations of the Cross in the Colosseum tonight from Casa Santa Marta.”
The statement came at the last minute after the Vatican confirmed the pope’s attendance hours earlier. Vatican News downplayed the significance of Francis’ absence, pointing out that he also missed the Viacrucis ceremony in 2023 and was represented at the Colosseum by Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome. It seems like it is.
The 87-year-old pope has been absent from many activities in recent days, sometimes calling on close aides to read prepared speeches on his behalf.
Last weekend, for example, Francis decided at the last minute not to reverently proclaim Palm Sunday, but by Thursday he appeared to be feeling better and attended the morning Mass of Anointing and the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. I celebrated personally.
In February, the Pope canceled all scheduled activities, and the Vatican Press Office cited persistent influenza as the cause.
In January, Francis attended a meeting with French Catholic communicators at the Vatican, but omitted reading the text he had prepared because he was suffering from bronchitis and could not speak very well. did.
These same respiratory illnesses also led to the cancellation of a trip to Dubai in early December where he was scheduled to speak at the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
But last week, the Vatican Confirmed The Pope intends to visit the northern Italian city of Venice on April 28, where he will greet artists attending the annual Biennale exhibition and inaugurate the Vatican Pavilion hosted by the Department of Culture and Education. .
