Pope Leo XIV Leads Historic Good Friday Procession at Rome's Colosseum
Pope Leo XIV has led candle-lit Easter celebrations in Rome, marking a significant moment in recent papal history by becoming the first pontiff in decades to carry a cross throughout the entire Good Friday procession. The 70-year-old spiritual leader carried a wooden cross through all fourteen stations of the traditional Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, at the iconic Colosseum during his first Good Friday as pope.
The Traditional Stations of the Cross
The stations trace the final moments of Jesus' life, from his sentencing to death to his burial. Inside the ancient Colosseum, Pope Leo lifted the cross and began the solemn rite, accompanied by two torchbearers who remained with him throughout the hour-long procession. He paused at various points to hear Bible readings, writings from St Francis of Assisi, and spiritual meditations.
The pope, who has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iran, listened as an evocative set of meditations was read aloud inside the historic amphitheatre. At the first station, marking the moment Jesus was condemned to death, the meditation emphasised that those in positions of authority will ultimately answer to God for how they exercise their power.
The powerful reading stated: 'The power to judge; the power to start or end a war; the power to instill violence or peace; the power to fuel the desire for revenge, or for reconciliation.'
Procession Through Ancient Rome
Following the indoor ceremony, Pope Leo then walked through the crowds outside the Colosseum and up to Palatine Hill, where he delivered the final blessing to the assembled faithful. Speaking to reporters outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo earlier in the week, Pope Leo had indicated that carrying the cross would be an 'important sign' for the modern world.
He explained: 'I think it will be an important sign because of what the pope represents, a spiritual leader in the world today, and for this voice, that everyone wants to hear, that says Christ still suffers. I carry all of this suffering in my prayer.'
Mass Gathering of the Faithful
Approximately 30,000 people assembled outside the ancient monument, following the stations as the prayers were broadcast over loudspeakers throughout the historic site. Among the faithful was Sister Pelenatita Kieoma Finau from Samoa, a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, who expressed her excitement at participating in the historic event.
Sister Finau said: 'We have been part of our parish stations of the cross, but this is so exciting. It is very meaningful to have the experience of being with the people of Rome on this special occasion.'
Easter Celebrations and Peace Message
Good Friday represents the second of four Catholic holidays leading to Easter Sunday, when Pope Leo will deliver a special blessing and message from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The pontiff had previously used his Palm Sunday Mass to speak out against claims that God justifies war, addressing tens of thousands gathered in St Peter's Square last month.
His remarks came amid reports that the United States may be planning a ground invasion of Iran, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that his country's forces are 'waiting for American soldiers to enter on the ground so they can rain fire upon them.' Ghalibaf also accused former President Donald Trump of publicly advocating negotiations to end the conflict while secretly preparing for military action.
While leaders across the Middle East have frequently invoked religion to justify military action, and US officials including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have cited their faith to frame conflicts, Pope Leo has consistently called for global peace. During his Palm Sunday address, he emphasised: 'Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no-one can use to justify war.'
The historic Good Friday procession at the Colosseum represents both a continuation of ancient tradition and a powerful contemporary statement from the Vatican's spiritual leader during a time of international tension.
