Pope Francis has missed the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum for the first time in his 11-year papacy due to health concerns. The Vatican announced that he would watch the event from his home at the Vatican in order to conserve his strength for the upcoming Easter vigil and Mass. This decision echoes a similar occurrence with St. John Paul II in 2005, when the then-pope also skipped the procession due to illness.
Francis, who is 87 years old and has had health issues in the past due to having one lung removed as a young man, has been dealing with flu-like symptoms all winter. Recently, he has been relying on aides to read his speeches and even skipped his Palm Sunday homily entirely. The last-minute decision not to attend the Good Friday procession was evident as his chair was set up on the platform where he was supposed to preside over the event. Despite his closest aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, being present and adjusting the TV screen for Francis, the Vatican announced just minutes before the start of the procession that he would not be present.
These occurrences have raised concerns about Francis’ health and ability to participate in important liturgical events. However, it is important to note that these are only isolated incidents and do not necessarily indicate a larger issue with his health or ability to perform his duties as pope.
