Pope Francis absent from the Stations of the Cross in Rome to ensure his presence at Easter

2024-03-30T04:21:13.634Z

Highlights: Pope Francis absent from the Stations of the Cross in Rome to ensure his presence at Easter. At the last minute, the pope's chair intended to be placed facing the Colosseum was removed. At 87, his stamina is dwindling. For the Vatican, it is important to spare the Holy Father especially during this Easter marathon, the most intense period of the liturgical year for more than a billion Catholics. The uncertainty remains regarding Francis' health while the Easter marathon is not over: Saturday evening he must participate in the Easter vigil.

At the last minute, the sovereign pontiff did not appear in front of the Colosseum where the Romans commemorate each year the last moments of Christ's life. An unexpected cancellation that relaunches…

Pope Francis absent from the Stations of the Cross in Rome to ensure his presence at Easter

The pope's chair, installed in front of the Colosseum in Rome, was finally removed on Friday evening, meaning the cancellation of Francis' visit for this evening of Good Friday, March 29, 2024. REUTERS - Yara Nardi

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Rome,

Éric Sénanque

At the last minute, the pope's chair intended to be placed facing the Colosseum was removed, thus confirming the absence of the sovereign pontiff. It is "

to preserve his health in view of tomorrow's vigil and the Easter Sunday mass

" that

the pope

did not make the trip to the famous Roman amphitheater, said a

Vatican

press release , published shortly after 9 p.m. this Friday evening when the live mondovision broadcast of the event had already started.

This surprise cancellation revives speculation about the state of health of the Argentine pope. At 87, his stamina is dwindling. For the Vatican, it is important to spare the Holy Father especially during this Easter marathon, the most intense period of the liturgical year for more than a billion Catholics.

This is the second year in a row that the sovereign pontiff has not made the trip to the Colosseum after a cold snap last year. In recent weeks, François, who uses a wheelchair more and more, had appeared diminished, in particular having several of his speeches read to collaborators. The uncertainty therefore remains regarding Francis' health while the Easter marathon is not over: Saturday evening he must participate in the Easter vigil in Saint Peter's Basilica and preside over the Easter Day mass on Sunday.

Pope Francis absent from the Stations of the Cross in Rome to ensure his presence at Easter

Pope Francis absent from the Stations of the Cross in Rome to ensure his presence at Easter

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest