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Unlike in other years, Pope Francis, who held the cross at the last station, did not do the final meditation. He only granted the apostolic blessing.
Bianca Fraccalvieri – Vatican News
St. Peter’s Square hosted the Way of the Cross this Good Friday, traditionally celebrated at the Colosseum in Rome. Once again, the square was empty due to the pandemic, only lit by torches on the floor and the Cross of Jesus.
The 14 stations were built around the central obelisk, with a single group of people taking the time to carry the Cross.
Each meditation reflects the pain that prison produces: in the detainees, in the victims of their crimes, in their families, in the police, the judges, the priests. Crime and its consequences in its entirety.
The suffering caused by sin committed by men and redeemed by Jesus on the cross, inspired Pope Francis to a long silent prayer. Unlike in other years, the pontiff, who held the cross in the last station, did not do the final meditation. He granted the apostolic blessing at the end.
No sin will have the last word
“We are getting older, more and more defenseless, and we are victims of the worst pain that exists: surviving the death of a daughter.”
“It took just one day to go from an irreproachable life to performing a gesture that ends the violation of all the commandments.”
“As the daughter of a prisoner, how many times have I heard the question:” Have you ever thought about the suffering your father caused the victims? “Then I also ask them a question:” Did you ever think that I was the first of all the victims of my father’s actions? “
“In prison, I became a grandfather: I lost my daughter’s pregnancy. One day, I will not tell my granddaughter the evil I did, but only the good I found. “
“All of us, even condemned, are children of the same humanity.”
These are just some of the phrases, and experiences, that accompanied the Calvary of Christ, to which it is difficult to remain indifferent.
“In prison, with God, no sin will have the last word” is the phrase that concludes the last meditation. And it is this same phrase, and hope, that will accompany us until the Resurrection.
