- Pope Francis skips Good Friday procession due to health concerns
- Instead, he leads Easter Vigil at the Vatican
- Pontiff’s health issues prompt changes to Holy Week schedule
As a health precaution, the pontiff decided to withdraw from yesterday’s event at the eleventh hour.
As a health precaution, the Pope presided over the Easter Vigil at the Vatican on Saturday night, one day after, avoiding the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.
Pope Francis disembarked from his wheelchair, assumed a seated position in St. Peter’s Basilica, and commenced the opening liturgy.
At times gasping for air, the pontiff bestowed the sacrament of Easter upon a candle, the embers of which were subsequently distributed among the other candles within the cathedral.
Francis then resolutely delivered a ten-minute homily, intermittently clearing his larynx more than an hour later.
As one of the holiest occasions on the Catholic calendar, the evening service commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and sees the baptism of eight mature converts to the faith.
According to the Vatican, Francis forewent the Good Friday procession to attend the Easter Sunday Mass a few hours later and the vigil service on Saturday night, which typically lasts two hours.
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This winter, the 87-year-old has struggled with respiratory issues that have impeded his ability to communicate for extended periods.
According to the Vatican, he was afflicted with bronchitis, the common cold, or influenza.
Since having a portion of one lung removed as a young man, Francis has frequently requested an assistant to read portions of his speeches aloud and cancelled some audiences.
Amid the confusion, he abruptly cancelled his Palm Sunday sermon last week. Then, he decided to remain at home on Friday instead of presiding over the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum. These events sparked concerns.
The decision was made to “conserve his health,” according to the Vatican.
Franci also missed the frigid Good Friday procession the year prior due to his recovery from bronchitis.
