Pope Francis Will Not Attend Good Friday Event Due to ‘Extremely Cold’ Weather


A few days after being hospitalized for bronchitis, Pope Francis will miss the Good Friday Way of the Cross for the first time since he became pope in 2013. The Vatican said that the 86-year-old pontiff would not be there because of the “extremely cold” weather. Instead, he would watch the torchlight procession around the Colosseum from his home. Even though he didn’t show up on Friday night, when temperatures are expected to be around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Francis has been busy during Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, he renewed the vows of 1,000 cardinals, bishops, and priests. Then, on Good Friday, he went to a juvenile detention center to wash and kiss the feet of 12 inmates as a symbolic copy of Christ. The pope is still likely to take part in the Easter celebrations this weekend.