The Colosseum has long been a site of historical significance for the Church’s Good Friday observance. On April 3, 2023, Pope Leo XIV carried the cross through all 14 stations of the Via Crucis at Rome’s Colosseum, marking his first Good Friday service as Pope. This event drew approximately 30,000 participants, a testament to the enduring importance of this tradition.
Notably, this was the first time in over three decades that a Pope had personally carried the cross throughout every station. The last Pope to do so was St John Paul II, who carried the cross from 1980 until 1994. The return to this practice underlines a significant moment in the papacy and the Church’s connection to its historical roots.
The meditations for the service were crafted by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, who emphasized the relevance of the Via Crucis as an experience lived amidst the world’s noise and confusion. His reflections resonated with the congregation, highlighting the suffering of Christ in the afflicted and the importance of carrying those sufferings in prayer, as articulated by Pope Leo XIV.
The service included prayers for various groups, including political prisoners, victims of war, migrants and refugees, the poor, the lonely, children robbed of their childhood, victims of trafficking, those trapped in addiction, mothers mourning lost children, and those who die alone. This broad spectrum of prayers reflects the Church’s commitment to social justice and compassion.
The Colosseum has been bound to the Church’s Good Friday observance for centuries. Pope Benedict XIV dedicated the Colosseum in 1756 to the memory of Christ’s passion and the early Christian martyrs, establishing a tradition that was revived by St John XXIII and made a regular feature of papal Holy Week by St Paul VI.
As Pope Leo XIV continues his pontificate, observers are keen to see how he will shape the future of these traditions and address contemporary issues facing the Church and society. The participation of thousands in this service suggests a strong public interest in the Church’s role in addressing modern challenges.
Overall, the event not only marked a significant moment in Pope Leo XIV’s papacy but also reaffirmed the Church’s historical ties to the Colosseum and its mission to advocate for those in need.