Pope Skips Good Friday Event To Preserve Health Ahead Of Easter, Vatican Says

By NICOLE WINFIELD, ANDREW MEDICHINI, SILVIA STELLACCI and ARITZ PARRA (Associated Press) ROME (AP) — Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, making a last-minute decision that added to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy period. Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station.