Skip to content

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV carries the cross at the Via Crucis in the Colosseum

Pope Leo XIV carries the cross during the Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

The pope personally carried the cross through every station of the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum.

Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to “live our lives as a journey” and prayed for the Church to “follow in the footprints” of Christ as he walked the Via Crucis on April 3.

The pope personally carried the cross through every station of the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum, the first time in four years the figure of the Supreme Pontiff has been present at the amphitheater.

Cloudinary Asset

A flickering cross towers at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV carries the cross during the Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV carries the cross during the Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

A candle flickers at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV carries the cross during the Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV carries the cross during the Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

This article was originally published by EWTN News English.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis was ‘faithful to his mission,’ cardinal says at ninth Novendiales Mass

On the ninth and final day of Novendiales, the nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti reflected on the papal mission to love and serve Christ and his Church.

The Importance of Popular Piety and Missionary Spirit | Interview with Fr. Karl Wallner

Join us for an insightful interview with Fr. Karl Wallner, National Director of Missio Austria, as he shares his thoughts on the significance of popular piety and its role in leading people to God

Towards the Pope in Hungary, the themes of the journey. “Vital peace in Ukraine”

Monsignor Tamas Toth, Secretary General of the Hungarian Episcopal Conference, outlines the themes of the visit. The Pope's meetings. The importance of peace.

Pope Francis’ Indonesia visit to ‘strengthen message of tolerance, unity, and world peace’

Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia later this year has now been announced by the Vatican, and the Indonesian

What is behind the changes at Caritas Internationalis?

Why did Pope Francis dismiss the entire leadership of the Church’s worldwide charity arm Tuesday? What role will

Pope Leo XIV’s advice to priests: ‘Holiness cannot be lived in isolation’

The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests takes place every year on the solemnity of

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com