Via Crucis

The Latest

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

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 prays the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, on Good Friday, April 14, 2017.

Ukrainian and Russian families to carry cross at pope’s Good Friday Via Crucis

Apr 11, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The two families will carry a wooden cross together for the 13th station in the Colosseum. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, April 14, 2019.

Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week 2022 at the Vatican unveiled

Mar 21, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope will once again preside over the Via Crucis at the Colosseum on Good Friday. 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 preaches at the Via Crucis during World Youth Day in Panama City, Jan. 25, 2019.

The Way of the Cross is solidarity in suffering, Pope Francis says

Jan 25, 2019

At the Stations of the Cross for World Youth Day on Friday, Pope Francis encouraged the young pilgrims to embrace... Read more

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

At Stations of the Cross, Pope asks for grace to be ashamed of our sins

Mar 30, 2018

By Elise Harris

During his annual Good Friday Via Crucis at the Colosseum, Pope Francis made a heartfelt prayer asking God to give... Read more

Pope Francis leads prayers for the Way of the Cross at Rome's Colosseum, April 14,  2017.

Pope Francis reflects on sin, Christ's mercy at Stations of the Cross

Apr 14, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis presided over the Stations of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum on Good Friday, asking Christ’s forgiveness for the... 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

Pope Francis prays the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome, March 25, 2016.

Pope's Way of the Cross remembers migrants, persecuted Christians

Mar 25, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Following the yearly Good Friday tradition set by his predecessors, Pope Francis presided over the Stations of the Cross at... Read more