Pope Leo XIV began the rite inside the Colosseum, flanked by two torchbearers. The procession lasted an hour, moving from inside the Colosseum, through the crowd outside, and up steep stairs to the Palatine Hill, where the pontiff gave the final blessing. The event concluded outside the Colosseum atop the Palatine Hill.
At the first station, the meditation prepared for Pope Leo XIV's first Good Friday emphasized that those with authority will answer to God for how they exercise their power. The meditation was written by Rev. Francesco Patton, who was custodian of the Holy Land from 2016 to 2025.
I think it will be an important 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. I carry all of this suffering in my prayer.
About 30,000 faithful gathered outside the Colosseum to follow the stations. Sister Pelenatita Kieoma Finau from Samoa, a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, was among the attendees. According to Euronews, Sister Pelenatita Kieoma Finau described the experience as exciting and meaningful to be with the people of Rome on this special occasion.
According to Rev. Francesco Patton, the power to judge, start or end a war, instill violence or peace, or fuel the desire for revenge or reconciliation is significant, noting that the Way of the Cross is not intended for those who lead a pristinely pious or abstractly recollected life. Historically, Pope John Paul II carried the cross for the entire procession from his first Good Friday as pontiff in 1979 until his hip surgery in 1995, after which he carried it only part of the way.
We have been part of our parish stations of the cross, but this is so exciting. It is very meaningful to have the experience of being with the people of Rome on this special occasion.
For the first two years of his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI carried the cross for the first station inside the Colosseum, then followed other bearers in the procession. Pope Francis never carried the cross but participated in the procession until his health worsened. Pope Francis died after a long illness last year on Easter Monday, which fell on April 21.
Pope John Paul II was 58 when he became pope and was known as a hiker and outdoorsman. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis were in their late 70s when they began their papacies. Pope Francis was missing part of a lung due to a pulmonary infection as a young man.
Specific health conditions or age-related factors influencing Pope Leo XIV's ability to complete the full procession are not detailed, nor are security measures for the large crowd. How Pope Leo XIV's physical condition or age compares to his predecessors at the start of their papacies, and whether this might affect future participation, is also unknown. The Way of the Cross commemorates the final hours of Jesus' life, from his death sentence to his crucifixion, death, and burial.