The Vatican said Pope Francis would not preside Way of the Cross event as part of Good Friday due to extremely cold weather in Rome. The Pope was recently hospitalised for bronchitis.
It said that instead of presiding over the torch-led procession at the Colosseum, Francis will watch from the hotel where he lives in the Vatican. He will still attend the Passion celebration at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said. The Vatican said the pope would follow the event from his residence.
The 86-year-old pontiff will still attend an indoor Good Friday service earlier in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Reuters reported. According to reports, it is the first time the pope will not preside at the "Via Crucis" service in Rome since he was elected.
Pope Francis got discharged from the hospital on Saturday after being treated for bronchitis. The pope, 86, was hospitalised at Rome's Gemelli hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties. His medical team said Pope responded rapidly to an infusion of antibiotics.
