In a striking display of physical endurance and spiritual symbolism, Pope Leo XIV carried the wooden cross for all 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum during his first Decent Friday as pontiff. The act marks the first time in decades that a pope has carried the cross throughout the entire procession, a tradition that had largely faded due to the advancing age and failing health of his predecessors.
The procession, known as the Via Crucis, saw the pontiff navigate the historic ruins of the Colosseum and the steep ascent to the Palatine Hill, flanked by torchbearers. The gesture is being viewed by observers as a deliberate signal of the latest papacy’s focus on the tangible, lived experience of human suffering.
Speaking to reporters this week outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff explained the motivation behind the decision. “I think it will be an essential sign because of what the pope represents, a spiritual leader in the world today, and for this voice, that everyone wants to hear, that says Christ still suffers,” Leo said. “I carry all of this suffering in my prayer.”
A Meditation on Power and Authority
The spiritual weight of the event was mirrored in the meditations read during the rite. At the first station, which commemorates the condemnation of Jesus, the reflection focused heavily on the moral responsibilities of those in power. The meditation was authored by Rev. Francesco Patton, who served as the custodian of the Holy Land from 2016 to 2025.
The text challenged leaders globally to consider the divine accountability associated with their positions. “The power to judge; the power to start or end a war; the power to instill violence or peace; the power to fuel the desire for revenge, or for reconciliation,” the meditation read.
This theme of “incarnated” faith was a recurring thread throughout the evening. Patton noted in his introduction that the Way of the Cross is not intended for those leading “a pristinely pious or abstractly recollected life,” but is instead an exercise for those who believe that “faith, hope and charity must be incarnated in the real world.”
Approximately 30,000 faithful gathered outside the Colosseum to follow the procession. Among them was Sister Pelenatita Kieoma Finau, a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary from Samoa, who described the experience as “very meaningful” to share with the people of Rome.
Breaking a Decades-Long Pattern
The decision for Pope Leo to carry the cross for all 14 stations is a departure from the patterns established by the three previous pontiffs, whose physical capabilities were often constrained by age or illness. The current pontiff, at 70, maintains a rigorous fitness regimen that includes swimming, tennis, and regular gym workouts—a habit he maintained even before his election.
Historically, the physical demands of the Via Crucis have varied significantly based on the health of the Pope:
| Pope | Cross-Bearing Practice | Context/Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| John Paul II | Carried for all stations (1979–1995) | Known outdoorsman; ceased full carry after hip surgery. |
| Benedict XVI | First station only (first two years) | Followed other bearers for remainder of procession. |
| Francis | Did not carry the cross | Participated until health declined; missing part of a lung. |
| Leo XIV | Carried for all 14 stations | Physically fit; aimed to signal shared suffering. |
Pope John Paul II, who became pope at 58, was the last pontiff to consistently carry the cross for the entire duration of the rite, a practice he maintained for 16 years until medical necessity intervened in 1995. In contrast, Pope Francis, who passed away last year on Easter Monday, April 21, faced lifelong respiratory challenges that limited his physical participation in the later years of his papacy.
Looking Toward Easter
The Good Friday procession is the first of several major rites the pontiff will lead during the Holy Week celebrations. On Holy Saturday, the Pope is scheduled to preside over the late-night Easter vigil, where he will baptize new converts into the Catholic Church.
The celebrations will culminate on Easter Sunday with an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square. During this service, Pope Leo XIV will deliver his Easter message and provide the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing—the “to the city and to the world” address—which is closely watched by diplomats and the faithful globally for indications of the papacy’s future priorities.
Do you believe the physical gestures of the papacy influence the spiritual direction of the Church? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
