Pope Francis, who is known for his unwavering dedication to the Catholic faith and its traditions, will not participate in this year’s Good Friday procession due to the cold weather in Rome. The Pope’s decision has caused concern among the faithful and sparked discussions about the importance of following ancient rituals versus prioritizing health and safety measures. In this article, we will delve deeper into the reasons behind the Pope’s absence from the procession and its implications for the Catholic community.
Pope Francis is set to break tradition this Good Friday as he will not be attending the Colosseum for the traditional Way of the Cross procession. Instead, the Pope will watch the procession from his home at the Vatican due to unseasonably cold night-time temperatures in Rome. Earlier in April, the 86-year-old Pope was treated for bronchitis and was discharged from a Rome hospital on April 1st after receiving three days of antibiotic treatment. Although he was expected to carry out the complete Holy Week schedule, due to his ailing health, he decided to watch the procession remotely.
The Holy Father wore crimson-coloured vestments as he conducted an early evening prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica to mark Good Friday, a day that commemorates the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion. Despite his chronic knee problem, Pope Francis used a wheelchair to reach the central area of the basilica where he presided over the service. During the basilica ceremony on Good Friday, he listened to a long homily delivered by the Vatican’s official preacher.
While Rome has been experiencing spring-like weather during the day, temperatures can drop to approximately 4 degrees Celsius after dark. Due to these intense cold spells in Rome, the Pope decided to observe the procession from the Santa Marta hotel to avoid exposing himself to the bitter cold. The procession normally attracts thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and Rome residents, with the faithful taking turns carrying a lightweight cross as meditations and prayers are recited.
Francis is also expected to preside over an Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night in the basilica. On Sunday morning, he is due to attend a mid-morning Mass in St Peter’s Square, where he is expected to give a long speech that reviews the wars and other conflicts in the world, known by its Latin name, Urbi et Orbi.
On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis presided over a nearly two-hour Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, and later went to a Rome juvenile prison where he washed and dried the feet of a dozen residents. The ritual symbolises humility and recalls Jesus performing the same gesture for his 12 apostles. However, during the service, the Pope didn’t sound like himself and was hoarse while reading aloud. He also struggled when giving his blessing at the end of the service.
It’s worth noting that the decision by Pope Francis to watch the Good Friday procession from his Vatican residence was not the first time he broke a long-standing tradition. In previous years, his decision not to preside over the Good Friday Way of the Cross procession has usually been due to health issues. In 2018, he let prisoners in a youth detention centre lead the procession. It is said that his reason for breaking tradition that year was to give those often unseen and unheard a chance to lead a prominent religious event.
The decision of Pope Francis to observe the procession from his Vatican residence was not taken lightly, and Rome residents are sending warm wishes for him to get better soon. Despite the inconvenience of unseasonable and bitter cold weather in Rome, Pope Francis continues to be an inspiration to many, and his unwavering faith is a testament to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
