James O'Reilly
Since resurrecting the tradition in the mid 20th Century, the Colosseum has been the setting for one of the most powerful events of Holy Week in Rome: the Via Crucis, or in English 'Way of the Cross', with its 14 stations—the episodes that mark the Passion of Jesus from His condemnation to His burial.
This site was chosen because it was one of the places in the city where many of the first Christians were tortured and martyred.
Like all the celebrations that have taken place throughout this Holy Week, this moment was also new for Pope Leo XIV—we saw a lot of him because he carryed the Cross during all 14 stations.
The texts for the stations were written by Monsignor Francesco Patton, former Custodian of the Holy Land.
Every authority will have to answer before God for the way they exercise the power entrusted to them: the power to judge, but also the power to start a war or end it; the power to educate
toward violence or toward peace.
At the end of each station, a special petition was offered by all the faithful. These included moving prayers for the end of the wars across the world, assistance for migrants, displaced persons, and refugees, and the end of massacres, genocides, and indifference to human suffering.
During these 14 stations, Pope Leo was accompanied by over 20,000 faithful. Gathered in and around the Colosseum of Rome, they commemorated the Passion of Jesus Christ on the holy day marking His death.
