Pope Leo XIV led about 30,000 people in prayer on April 3 during the traditional Via Crucis at Rome’s Colosseum, carrying the cross through all fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross for nearly two hours on his first Good Friday as pontiff.
The event drew crowds to the ancient Roman arena, where torch flames lit up stone walls as participants joined in prayers focused on suffering and human dignity. The pope prayed for victims of war, those defending human dignity, and people facing despair or loneliness.
This marked the first time in more than thirty years that a pope carried the cross at every station. Vatican archival research communicated by Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said St. John Paul II was previously the last pope to do so from 1980 to 1994. Meditations for this year’s ceremony were written by Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, who reflected on his experiences walking Jerusalem’s historic Way of the Cross and described it as “a chaotic, distracting and noisy environment” with both supporters and detractors present.
Father Patton wrote that Christians are called to live out faith “where the believer faces ongoing challenges and must constantly strive to imitate Jesus.” Each station included scripture readings, quotations from St. Francis of Assisi—whose death is being commemorated this year—and meditations addressing topics such as authority figures’ responsibilities during times of war or peace, contemporary violations of human dignity like torture or exploitation, and calls for conversion.
Litany prayers addressed a range of modern suffering: devastation from war; massacres; addiction; trafficking; poverty; migration; loneliness; loss experienced by mothers; and those dying alone. Pope Leo told reporters earlier in Castel Gandolfo that carrying the cross was meant as an important sign: “I think it will be an important sign because of what the pope represents…for this voice that everyone wants to hear to say that Christ still suffers, and I carry all these sufferings too in my prayer.” He invited all people “to walk together…to seek how we may also be bearers of peace and not hatred.”
The tradition has deep roots at the Colosseum since its dedication by Pope Benedict XIV in 1756 as a site honoring Christ’s passion. Later popes restored regular observance there with St. Paul VI making it part of Good Friday traditions.
