Pope Francis didn't join the usual Good Friday march at the Colosseum in Rome, raising worries about his fragile health during a very busy religious time.
Francis was expected to lead the Way of the Cross march, portraying Christ's suffering and crucifixion, and wrote the meditations for each station. However, just before the event, the Vatican revealed that Francis was following it from his home at the Vatican.
This was the first time in his 11-year papacy that he missed this significant event, similar to St. John Paul II who skipped it just before passing away in 2005.
The Vatican press office stated that Pope Francis chose to watch the Via Crucis at the Colosseum from his residence in order to preserve his health for the upcoming events on Easter.
The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed when he was young, has been dealing with what he and the Vatican have described as a flu, bronchitis, or a cold throughout the winter. He has occasionally requested an assistant to read his speeches aloud and even skipped his Palm Sunday homily recently.
