Pope Leo XIV carries cross for full Good Friday procession
newsApr 3, 2026
On Good Friday, Pope Leo XIV carried a wooden cross through all 14 Way of the Cross stations at the Colosseum. This was his first Good Friday as pontiff, and the first time a pope completed the full procession in decades. The Way of the Cross commemorates Jesus' final hours, from his death sentence to crucifixion and burial. Leo used the gesture to embody papal humility and to reject claims that military domination aligns with Christian teaching.
Key Highlights
Pope Leo XIV carried a wooden cross through all 14 stations.
He completed the full Colosseum Good Friday procession for the first time in decades.
He said military domination is entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ.
3 sources
apnews.comPope Leo XIV carries cross for full Good Friday procession, the first pontiff to do so in decadesshare.inquirer.comPope Leo XIV carries cross for full Good Friday procession, the first pontiff to do so in decadeshivewire.newsPope Leo XIV carries cross through all 14 stations at Colosseum on Good Friday