ROME (AP) – Pope Leo XIV is set to personally carry the wooden cross through all 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on his first Good Friday as pontiff. This marks the first time in decades that a pope has carried the cross to every station during this significant religious observance. The event commemorates the final hours of Jesus' life, from his death sentence to crucifixion, death, and burial.

In a statement to reporters at Castel Gandolfo, the pope emphasized the importance of his role as a spiritual leader in addressing contemporary suffering. “I think it will be an important sign because of what the pope represents, a spiritual leader in the world today, and for this voice, that everyone wants to hear, that says Christ still suffers,” Leo stated, adding that he carries the collective suffering in his prayers.

Pope John Paul II was noted for carrying the cross throughout the entire procession during his first Good Friday in 1979 and continued to do so until 1995 when health issues limited his participation. Following this, Pope Benedict XVI carried the cross for the initial station and then followed other bearers, while Pope Francis participated in the procession until his health declined. Francis passed away last year after a prolonged illness on Easter Monday, April 21.

Pope Leo XIV, who is 70 years old, stands out for his physical fitness, being an avid tennis player and swimmer. His commitment to physical activity was evident before his papacy when he worked out regularly at a gym near the Vatican, maintaining a regimen akin to someone in their early 50s, according to his former trainer. This contrasts sharply with his predecessors, who were generally in their late 70s or had significant health challenges upon becoming pope.

As crowds are expected to gather outside the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross, each station will include meditations composed by the Rev. Francesco Patton, who served as the custos (or custodian) of the Holy Land from 2016 to 2025. In his introduction, Patton remarked that “The Way of the Cross is not intended for those who lead a pristinely pious or abstractly recollected life. Instead, it is the exercise of one who knows that faith, hope, and charity must be incarnated in the real world.”

Following the commemoration of Good Friday, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Easter vigil rites at St. Peter’s Square, guiding Roman Catholics into the celebration of Christ's resurrection. The highlight of Easter Sunday will be the open-air Mass at St. Peter's Square, where the pope will deliver his Easter message and impart the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the city of Rome and the world.

This year's events reflect a continuing tradition of deep spiritual significance within the Catholic Church, underscoring the role of the pope in connecting with the faithful during pivotal moments of the Christian liturgical year. The personal involvement of Pope Leo XIV in the Way of the Cross symbolizes not only his commitment to the faith but also his recognition of the universal suffering experienced by humanity.