The Holy Father referred in the Friday ceremony to the pain of those who suffer because of war, “of so many volunteers, humanitarian workers, and media professionals who risk their lives to care for someone or to make the truth known.”
The Bishop of Rome, flanked by two young torchbearers, carried the cross himself through the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross, five inside and nine outside the ancient arena illuminated by torches.
A note published on the Vatican News website highlights that the meditations recited by the Pope before more than 30,000 faithful gathered at the Flavian Amphitheater in the Italian capital reflected “the current reality, where power is often abused and human dignity trampled underfoot.”
“Grant us tears, Lord, to weep for the disasters of war,” His Holiness said in his prayers, in which he asserted that “all authority will have to answer to God for the way they exercise the power it has received: the power to judge, but also the power to start or end a war, the power to instill in violence or in peace.”
The Vatican press office informed that Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone on Good Friday morning with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, to whom he reiterated the need to reopen all possible channels of diplomatic dialogue to end the serious ongoing conflict, with a view to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Pope spoke by telephone, that day on Easter, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to whom he “renewed his hope that, with the commitment and support of the international community, a cessation of hostilities and a just and lasting peace will be achieved as soon as possible” in that country, the news outlet added.
As part of the Easter Triduum, the Easter Vigil will take place at 19:30 hours (local time) this Saturday.
The leader of the Catholic Church will preside over the Easter Sunday ceremonies in St. Peter’s Square, and will celebrate the mass at 10:00 hours (local time) on April 5.
Pope Leo XIV will also deliver the Urbi et Orbi message from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at midday on Sunday.
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