Way of the Cross

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On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, approximately 1,000 children and youth from Christian schools in Jerusalem walked the Via Dolorosa in the Old City, offering prayers for peace. The crowd brought life to the streets of the Holy City for the first time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last October.

PHOTOS: 1,000 Christian youth walk the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem for peace

Feb 26, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

“The Way of the Cross… A Way of Peace” was organized by the Custody of the Holy Land and involved... Read more

Friars walking along the Via Dolorosa on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. After two weeks, the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land returned to pray the Way of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.

Franciscan friar’s ‘Way of the Cross’ resumes on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem

Oct 30, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The Franciscans returned to pray along on the Via Dolorosa after holding the Way of the Cross in the church... Read more

Pilgrims gather for the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, April 3, 2015.

Here are the meditations for the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday 2023

Apr 7, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The meditations and prayers for the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday this year come from... Read more

On Feb. 2, 2023, a vandal desecrated an image of Jesus at the Church of the Flagellation located on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, the route that Christ walked to Mount Calvary, where he was crucified.

American tourist desecrates statue of Christ in Catholic church in Jerusalem

Feb 2, 2023

By CNA Staff

The attack occurred at the Church of the Flagellation located on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, the route that Christ... Read more

Irina, from Ukraine, and Albina, from Russia, hold the cross at Rome’s Colosseum, April 15, 2022.

Vatican adapts Good Friday Way of the Cross after outcry in Ukraine

Apr 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

The original plan was strongly criticized by Ukrainian Catholic leaders. Read more

Pilgrims gather for the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, April 3, 2015.

Full text: Good Friday 2022 Way of the Cross led by Pope Francis

Apr 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

Here is the full text of the Via Crucis at Rome’s Colosseum led by Pope Francis. Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk records a video message on March 30, 2022.

‘An untimely idea’: Ukrainian Catholic leader concerned by format of Pope’s Good Friday Via Crucis

Apr 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Shevchuk addressed the plan for Ukrainian and Russian families to carry a cross together. Read more

Pope Francis presides at the Stations of the Cross outside St. Peter's Basilica, April 2, 2021.

Pope Francis leads Via Crucis seen through the eyes of children

Apr 2, 2021

Pope Francis led the Way of the Cross, featuring meditations prepared by children, at the Vatican on Good Friday evening. Read more

Pilgrims participate in the Good Friday Via Crucis with Pope Francis March 30, 2018.

Scouts and parish kids write meditations for this year’s Vatican Way of the Cross

Mar 23, 2021

Pope Francis has chosen a scouting group from central Italy and kids from a Roman parish to prepare the meditations... Read more

Pope Francis presides at the Stations of the Cross outside St. Peter's Basilica.

At Via Crucis, Pope Francis prays for those serving the suffering

Apr 10, 2020

Pope Francis prayed for those who are serving the suffering as he presided at the Stations of the Cross in... Read more

Pope Francis shows the Way of the Cross meditations he keeps in his pocket, Jan. 30, 2019.

Pope Francis says he loves to pray the Way of the Cross

Jan 30, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Everyone should pray the Stations of the Cross, Pope Francis said Wednesday, revealing that he always has with him a... Read more

Bible scholar gives inside look at Vatican's Stations of the Cross

Apr 11, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis chose French biblical scholar, Anne-Marie Pelletier, to write the meditations for this year's annual Good Friday Stations of... Read more

Pope Francis leads the Stations of the Cross for World Youth Day at Krakow's Blonia Park, July 29, 2016.

Are you suffering? Jesus is with you, Pope Francis says

Jul 29, 2016

The Way of the Cross shows Christ's embrace of everyone who hungers, suffers, and dies – and the imperative for... Read more