Epoch Times29. March 2024
The 87-year-old will instead watch the procession taking place at the Colosseum from his residence.
“To protect his health in the run-up to tomorrow’s Easter Vigil and before Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Stations of the Cross procession at the Colosseum this evening from the Santa Marta residence,” the Vatican said just before the start of the event. A chair at the Colosseum in the Italian capital that was actually intended for the Pope was immediately taken away. At that moment, thousands of believers had already gathered for the procession, many of them with candles in their hands.
Last year the Pope also canceled his participation in the traditional procession. It was the first time in his pontificate, which began in 2013, that he did not take part.
The Pope has been struggling with health problems for some time. However, on Thursday he washed the feet of only female prisoners for the first time during the annual Maundy Thursday ritual. The 87-year-old visited the Rebibbia women’s prison on the northeastern outskirts of Rome, where he washed the feet of twelve women while sitting in a wheelchair.
The Pope wants to celebrate the Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening. On Sunday he wants to announce the Easter message and give the blessing “Urbi et Orbi”. (afp)