Pope Francis took half within the Good Friday procession within the Colosseum Rom canceled for well being causes. The Vatican mentioned the 87-year-old is defending his well being in view of additional commitments in reference to Easter. The pontiff is battling the results of a respiratory an infection; He clearly finds it troublesome to talk for lengthy intervals of time. The Pope had already spoken in a hoarse voice in the course of the lengthy liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday afternoon.

In order to guard his well being with a view to the Easter Vigil service on Saturday and the Mass on Easter Sunday, the pinnacle of the Catholic Church will comply with the procession from his residence within the Vatican, the Holy See introduced only a few minutes earlier than the beginning of the Stations of the Cross devotion.

Observers had already questioned whether or not the 87-year-old Francis, who had been unwell for a number of months, would participate within the “Via Crucis” open air. At Easter 2023 he had already given up his participation at quick discover. At the time, Francis was simply recovering from bronchitis.