Skip to content

Pope Francis to write meditations for Good Friday Way of the Cross for the first time

Pope Francis for the first time in his 11-year pontificate will pen his own spiritual meditations for Friday’s Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) against the dramatic backdrop of Rome’s historic Colosseum.

The reflection will be based on the theme “In Prayer with Jesus on the Way of the Cross.” The pope will write a unique treatment for each station, “centered on what Jesus experiences in that moment,” the Holy See Press Office announced.

Vatican News observed that the pope’s decision to write his own mediations this year dovetails with the spiritual dimension of the Year of Prayer, a period of reflection the pope has called in anticipation of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

In 1985 Pope John Paul II started the tradition of delegating the writing of the Good Friday Way of the Cross reflections to different individuals and groups. But he interrupted this custom when he authored his own reflections for the “Great Jubilee,” or Holy Year of 2000. Pope Benedict XVI continued with the tradition throughout his pontificate. 

The setting for the papal Way of the Cross is rich with history and holds a special meaning for Rome’s Christians. 

The Colosseum, which also bears the name of the Flavian Amphitheater, was constructed during the first century A.D. during the reign of the Flavian dynasty. The massive elliptical structure sits in the heart of ancient Rome and was known as a site for gladiatorial battles, military reenactments, and dramatic productions. 

Tradition holds that early Christians were martyred in large numbers at the Colosseum. Though the archaeological evidence of the Colosseum as a site for martyrdom is scarce, the world’s largest ancient amphitheater still holds a central place in the Christian imagination, serving as a symbol of the persecution of the early Church. 

In 1750 Pope Benedict XIV erected a large cross and the 14 stations of the cross there; in 1756 he dedicated the edifice to the memory of the passion of Christ and the martyrs. The tradition lasted for a century until the unification of Italy in 1861, when the Church lost its sovereign temporal authority over the city of Rome. 

Pope John XXIII presided over the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum once in 1959. But it was not until 1964 with Pope Paul VI that the celebration became a permanent fixture of the pope’s Holy Week itinerary. 

In past years Pope Francis has entrusted the meditations to different groups and individuals reflecting a wide range of themes such as war and peace, migration, and the experience of the incarcerated.

Last year’s Way of the Cross was centered on the theme “Voices of Peace in a World at War,” incorporating the testimonies of victims of violence whom Pope Francis encountered during his international apostolic journeys over the past 10 years.

The full text of the meditations will be made available on Friday morning ahead of the service, which will begin at 9:15 p.m. Rome time.

 

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

LIVE | Roman Nights | Jubilee 2025: A Year of Hope in a World of Crisis | October 31st, 2024

Roman Nights: Jubilee 2025: A Year of Hope in a World of Crisis

Pope Francis warns against ‘duplicity of heart’ at Sunday Angelus

During his Sunday Angelus address on Nov. 5, Pope Francis warned against living a double life, highlighting the

Pope Francis prays for peace on anniversary of Hamas attack

On October 7, 2023, Hamas stormed the border with Israel. This week marks the first anniversary of the

‘Benedict Trusted Francis. But He was Bitterly Disappointed,’ Biographer Says in New Interview

On the eve of the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s death, his biographer, Peter Seewald, raised serious concerns about how Pope Francis is managing the legacy of his predecessor.

Pope Francis Applauds the 20 Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War Beatified in Seville

Pope Francis asked for applause for the 20 martyrs beatified yesterday in the Cathedral of Seville, priests and laypeople who were murdered out of hatred for the faith during the onset of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.

Pope Francis urges marriage and family institute: Use the gospel to spread salvation

Pope Francis met with the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute on Monday, urging collaboration with scholars and cultural institutions to support Catholic spouses and families.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it