Pope Leo's Historic Way of the Cross

0:00Pope Leo XIV made history on Good Friday by carrying a wooden cross through all 14 stations of the way of the cross at the Colosseum. It marked the first time in decades a Pope handled the whole procession himself from start to finish up the Palatine Hill. He told reporters earlier this week that it's a sign of Christ still suffering in the world today and he carries that pain in his prayers. Flanked by Torch Bears, the 70-year-old pontiff led the hour-long right with meditation hitting hard on how leaders answered a god for wielding. Power, whether sparking wars or pushing peace. About 30,000 faithful packed and outside the ancient arena, soaking it all up over loudspeakers. One sister from Samoa called it super exciting, way beyond her pair stations, sharing the vibe with Romans on this big night. Unlike recent popes, Leo went full distance. John Paul II did it from 1979 until his hip surgery in 1995, Benedict XVI only the first station, early on, and Francis skipped carrying it due to health issues before passing

1:03last year. Leo stays fit as a tennis player and swimmer, hitting the gym like a guy in his 50s. Coming up, he's got the Easter vigil on Holy Saturday with baptisms, then Sunday Mass in St. Peter Square and the Erby at Orby Blessing to the world keeping the resurrection fire lit strong. This has been Durham News Today, powered by AI.