Rome’s Ancient Colosseum Hosts Way of the Cross with Pope Francis' Theme of Renewal

The liturgical ceremony began at 9:15 p.m. local time with Reina, the pope’s vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, carrying the cross for the first station. Various groups representing different aspects of the Church and society took turns bearing the wooden cross through subsequent stations, including youth, Caritas volunteers, families, people with disabilities, migrants, health care workers, religious, educators, and jubilee volunteers.

Pope Francis described the Way of the Cross as “the prayer of people on the move” that “disrupts our usual routine” to lead from “weariness to joy.” His meditations stressed how Christ’s path through suffering represents “a change of course and a change of pace — a conversion that restores joy and brings us home.”

“The road to Calvary passes through the streets we tread each day,” the pope wrote in his introduction.

“Usually, Lord, we are walking in the other direction, and so it may just happen that we encounter you, catch sight of your face, meet your gaze.”

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Several meditations focused on human fragility and God’s response to it. At the seventh station, where Jesus falls for the second time, the pope reflected: “Fall and get up again; fall and get up again. That is how you taught us, Jesus, to approach the adventure of human life.” He added that humans “are not mass-produced but handcrafted: We are unique treasures, a blend of grace and responsibility.”

When addressing Jesus being stripped of his garments in the 10th station, Francis noted: “You are the Bridegroom who lets himself be taken and touched, who turns everything to good... You know each of us singly, so as to save us together: all of us, each and every one.”

The ceremony concluded with St. Francis’ prayer: “Most high and glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Grant me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, and profound humility.”