- Pope Francis holds Good Friday prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica despite recent hospitalization for bronchitis.
The news report highlights the recent activities of an 86-year-old person who was hospitalized for three days due to bronchitis and was discharged on April 1. According to the Vatican, he was scheduled to carry out the complete Holy Week schedule, which included a Way of the Cross procession and Mass in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
On Holy Thursday, he presided over a nearly two-hour Mass at St Peter’s Basilica and then went to a juvenile prison in Rome, where he performed a ritual of washing and drying the feet of a dozen residents, symbolizing humility and recalling Jesus performing the same gesture for his 12 apostles.
Although Rome has experienced spring-like weather during the day, temperatures have dropped to about 4C after dark.
The article reports that despite recent treatment in the hospital for bronchitis and a chronic knee problem, Francis proceeded with an early evening prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica to observe Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
The pope wore crimson-coloured vestments and used a wheelchair to reach the central area of the basilica, where he presided over the service.
- Pope Francis holds Good Friday prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica despite recent hospitalization for bronchitis.
- Despite chronic knee problem and recent hospitalization, Pope Francis presides over Good Friday prayer service in a wheelchair.
- Pope Francis wears crimson vestments and uses a wheelchair to lead Good Friday prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica.