Good Friday at the Colosseum

The Via Crucis tradition (Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross) has been practiced by Roman Catholics for many centuries. It signifies the passion and death of Jesus Christ through the reading of prayers along a path of 14 stations. The practice and devotion of the Stations of the Cross began with St. Francis of Assisi and continued throughout the Roman Catholic Church in medieval times. Today, the Stations of the Cross can be found in nearly every Catholic Church and it is most common to be practiced during Lent, particularly Good Friday.

On Good Friday in Rome, there is a traditional Via Crucis that takes place at the Colosseum. This tradition goes back to the 18th century during Pope Benedict XIV’s pontiff and was born again in 1964 by Pope Paul VI. With Pope John Paul II as the Pope, the annual public Good Friday prayer of the Stations of the Cross at the Roman Colosseum became also a global television event.

Originally, the Pope carried the cross from station to station. However, in recent years you’ll find him presiding over the celebration from a stage on the Palatine Hill, while others carried the cross. Every year a different person is invited to write the texts for each Station. Past writers of the Papal Stations include Catholics and non-Catholics.

This year the Via Crucis or Way of the Cross ceremony led by Pope Francis will take place at the Colosseum on Good Friday, 7 April, at 9:15 pm. The evening Via Crucis procession at the Colosseum is an ancient tradition of Rome that brings a large crowd of faithful, including those who travel a long distance to the Italian capital for Holy Week ceremonies. There are no tickets required for the Via Crucis which is part of the pontiff's liturgical programme for Holy Week or Settimana Santa.

The Easter Vigil Mass takes place in St Peter's Basilica at 7:30 pm on Saturday, with Easter Sunday Mass celebrated in St Peter's Square at 10:00 am, followed by the pope's traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.