VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis presided at a scaled back “Way of the Cross” service held in an empty St. Peter’s Square on Friday due to coronavirus restrictions, listening as children recounted their fears and dreams.
It was the second consecutive year that the “Via Crucis” procession, commemorating the last hours in Jesus’ life, was not held at Rome’s ancient Colosseum since the modern-day Easter tradition was re-introduced by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
Candles in the form of a huge cross dotted an empty St. Peter’s Square as about only 200 people took part, sitting on either side of the pope immediately in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Different groups write …
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