Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff in decades to carry a wooden cross for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross on his first Good Friday as Holy Father.
Inside the Colosseum, Leo began the procession flanked by two young people holding torches, and followed by clergy.
Thousands gathered outside the monument in Rome, where the procession continued, following the stations as they were recited over loud speakers.
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They included Sister Pelenatita Kieoma Finau from Samoa and a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.
She 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.”
In previous years, John Paul II carried the cross for the entire procession from his first Good Friday as pontiff in 1979 until his hip surgery in 1995, when he carried it just part of the way.
For the first two years of his papacy, Benedict XVI carried the cross for the first station inside the Colosseum, then followed other bearers in the procession that ends on a platform on the Palatine Hill.
Thousands gathered outside the Colosseum in Rome. Credit: AP
Pope Francis never carried the cross, but participated in the procession until his health worsened. He died after a long illness last year on Easter Monday, which fell on April 21.
The Way of the Cross commemorates the final hours of Jesus’ life, from his death sentence to taking up the cross to his crucifixion, death and burial. The procession ends outside the Colosseum atop the Palatine Hill.
On Holy Saturday, the pontiff will preside over a late night Easter vigil, during which he will baptise new Catholics, and lead Roman Catholics into Christianity’s most joyous celebration marking Christ’s resurrection.
On Easter Sunday, the pope will celebrate an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square before delivering his Easter message and offer the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the city of Rome and the world.
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