Pope Leo XIV marked a significant moment this Good Friday by becoming the first pope in decades to carry a wooden cross during all 14 stations of the cross.
Video footage captured the pope bearing a crucifix at the Rome’s Colosseum, where the procession continued amidst the gathered crowds and concluded with a blessing on Palatine Hill.
“I think this is significant because many want to hear the voice of the Pope, who serves as a spiritual leader today, illustrating that Christ continues to suffer,” Leo mentioned to reporters this week. “I carry all this suffering in my prayers.”
Approximately 30,000 Christians turned out at the Colosseum to observe the procession. This was the first time a pope had participated fully in this way since Good Friday in 1995, when then-Pope John Paul II was recovering from hip surgery.
“At that time, Pope John Paul II was only 58. He was celebrated as a hiker and an adventurer,” noted CBS News. “His successors began their reigns in their late 70s, and Francis had suffered a lung infection in his youth that impacted his health.”
“In contrast, Leo, who is 70, is quite active, enjoying tennis and swimming. Before becoming pope, he kept a gym routine that most would associate with someone in their early 50s,” it added.
The Vatican shared the Pope’s reflections during the Stations of the Cross on its website.
“The Way of the Cross travels through the narrow streets of Jerusalem’s Old City, tracing the steps of Jesus from his condemnation to his crucifixion, burial, and ultimately, resurrection,” the preface states.
“This journey is not just for the devout or those seeking peace to pray. Much like in Jesus’ time, it unfolds in a chaotic, distracting setting, where believers and skeptics coexist. This reflects the reality we navigate in our lives today.”
Additionally, the Pope also became the first in 13 years to wash the feet of priests on Maundy Thursday.
