For the second year since the pandemic, the Good Friday Stations of the Cross were held in the Colosseum in Rome.
But this year, due to the cold weather, Pope Francis followed the event from the Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican.
The Pope chose the theme, “Voices of Peace in a World at War.” The meditations come from testimonies Pope Francis heard during his different papal trips and events. They are written by men and women who have experienced poverty, injustice and violence.
One of these voices was a migrant from West Africa. He described his own way of the cross and his desire for peace and hospitality for all migrants.
Every night I asked God why: why should people like ourselves consider us enemies? Many people who are fleeing from war are carrying crosses like mine.
Another meditation was written by young people from Central America. They expressed their desire for peace in the world and how it must start with themselves despite worldly contradictions.
We are full of these compromises: we do not want violence, but we attack those who do not think like us on social media; we want a united society, but we do not make the effort to understand those who are next to us; worse, we neglect those who need us.
Similar to last year, one of the Stations was led by young people from Russia and Ukraine. They described their challenges and losses after the invasion last year. And both prayed for peace.
The Stations of the Cross ended with a prayer and 14 “thank yous” reflecting on Jesus' passion and sacrifice.
KG
