Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has had to miss the Good Friday procession at the Vatican due to a sudden cold snap in Rome. This is an unprecedented move as the procession is considered to be one of the most significant events of the year for the church. The pope is 84 years old and is known for his devotion to the church and his followers, but the unexpected weather has forced him to take a back seat this year. The Vatican has assured the public that the pope is in good health and is simply taking precautions to prevent any cold-related illnesses. Nevertheless, the absence of the pope from such a significant event in the church’s calendar has caused concern among some of its followers. This article will discuss the impact of Pope Francis’s absence from the Good Friday procession and its significance in the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis presided over a Passion of the Lord service at St. Peter’s Basilica on Good Friday afternoon, but was unable to attend the outdoor evening “Way of the Cross” procession after being hospitalised earlier in the week for bronchitis. Despite coughing several times during the service, the 86-year-old pontiff showed no discomfort whilst listening to three cantors and a choir recounting the last hours of Jesus’ life in Latin. The Vatican announced earlier that Francis would skip the procession for the first time since his election in 2013.
Usually, the pope sits outdoors near the upper section of the Colosseum while participants process around the ancient monument as part of the Good Friday procession. The procession, which draws tens of thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and Rome residents, includes participants taking turns carrying a lightweight cross as meditations and prayers are recited. The participants stop to pray and hear meditations at the 14 Stations of the Cross, which commemorate the events in the last hours of the life of Jesus, starting with his arrest and ending with his burial.
However, due to the intense cold of these days, the Vatican decided to have Pope Francis follow the Way of the Cross from the Santa Marta hotel whilst uniting in prayer with those who gathered in Rome. The pope usually makes impromptu remarks to thousands of people at the end of the Good Friday procession, but he was unable to do so this year.
Francis had spent four days in the hospital last week for treatment of bronchitis after suffering from breathing difficulties. He quickly recovered after receiving antibiotic therapy.
The Vatican did not announce any changes to the rest of the pope’s Holy Week schedule. Francis is still expected to preside at an Easter vigil Mass on Saturday night in St. Peter’s Basilica, and on Easter Sunday, he is to deliver his twice-annual “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing and message in St. Peter’s Square. The Easter Sunday blessing, which is held from the basilica’s outdoor central balcony, takes place at noon.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Good Friday event, which the pope was forced to skip this year, was moved to the Vatican and held in a slimmed-down version, but Francis still presided. The last pope to skip a Good Friday Way of the Cross service was Pope John Paul II. Failing health prevented him from leaving the Vatican in the last weeks of his life in 2005.
In addition to his role as pontiff, Pope Francis is also known for his commitment to social justice, environmentalism, and inclusion. He has spoken out against poverty and inequality through his various platforms, including his encyclicals, speeches, and tweets. Time magazine named him Person of the Year in 2013, and he has also been featured in Forbes’ list of most powerful people.
Overall, despite being unable to attend the outdoor procession due to his hospitalisation, Pope Francis was still able to participate in the Passion of the Lord service as part of Holy Week. His commitment to social justice and emphasis on inclusivity has made him a popular and respected leader not only amongst the Catholic community but also amongst many non-Catholics worldwide.
