Pope Francis, 87, canceled his participation in the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome at the last minute on Friday as his health continued to cause concern, AFP reported.

“To preserve his health, in order to prepare for tomorrow’s vigil and for the liturgy on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will make the Way of the Cross tonight from the Colosseum, from the Residence of Saint Martha,” the Vatican said in a statement.

At the moment of the announcement, which took place a few seconds before the start of the ceremony, the organizers removed the Pope’s chair from the hill in front of the Colosseum.

The Pope had already canceled his participation in the 2023 edition due to health reasons, a few days after being hospitalized for three days with bronchitis, but this decision was announced in advance, unlike this time.

In front of the impressive decoration of the illuminated Roman amphitheater, thousands of worshipers from many countries, often with candles in hand, gathered in silence to observe this culminating moment of Holy Week, which precedes Easter.

On Friday afternoon, the head of the Catholic Church led, as planned, the Good Friday service in St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican.

On Sunday morning, he will lead an Easter service in St. Peter’s Square, before blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“The City and the World”), during which he usually addresses international conflicts.

Pope Jorge Bergoglio, who uses a wheelchair, has had a number of health problems in recent years, including problems with his knees, hips and colon.

He also underwent abdominal surgery in June and canceled his trip to Dubai for COP28 in December due to bronchitis.

In recent days, he had to postpone reading several speeches several times due to his health.

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