Pope Francis presides over the Way of the Cross, in an almost empty St. Peter’s Square: a poignant symbol of the loneliness and isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic imbued with the hope provided by the reflections prepared by children.
By Linda Bordoni
The loneliness and isolation of men and women around the world, separated from their families and friends, deprived of their jobs and livelihoods, living in fear of an uncertain future for themselves and for to their children, they were present in a poignant way during the “Way of the Cross” on the second day of the Easter Triduum 2021.
For the second year in a row, Pope Francis led the traditional Good Friday Via Crucis in St. Peter’s Square almost empty due to restrictions imposed by the Italian government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A lone figure in white, sitting in the middle of a naked stage in front of the basilica, the Holy Father looked out into the darkened square where few children, accompanied by their parents, catechists and teachers, took their turn to carry the cross around the obelisk.
One after the other, they read their reflections as their companions carried the cross along a circular path marked by torches lit on the ground in the center of the square.
The Pope, in fact, this year chose to entrust to children and young people, symbols of hope and future, the preparation of the meditations for 2021 Way of the Cross.
The tradition of the Via Crucis
For more than 50 years, since Pope Paul VI revived the ancient tradition of the Via Crucis in 1964, popes have led this powerful rite that recreates the passion and death of Jesus Christ in the backdrop of the Colosseum of Rome. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, restrictions set to curb infections have affected all public events, including this one. However, it is broadcast and broadcast to a worldwide audience of hundreds of millions on all continents through the Vatican media.
Each station began with a reading of the relevant excerpt from the gospel account of the passion, followed by a meditation. The Pope’s prayer was then read and a hymn sung.
No words needed
Pope Francis, of course, felt no need for words and did not utter any homilies.
The silence and contemplation of the crucifix were the most powerful means of communication in a silenced world where the virus continues to bring pain and loneliness, and where marginalization, unemployment, poverty, injustice and the “virus” of indifference continues to cause death and despair. .
Children: hope for the future
During the 14th and last season it was highlighted how children and young people have the key and the hope of rebirth: “Lord, merciful Father,” said the prayer, “one more year we have followed your Son Jesus for the We continued to listen to the voices and prayers of the children that you yourself set out as a model for entering your kingdom. “
Help us to be like them: little, need for everything, open to life. May we regain our purity of heart and our ability to see things clearly.
We ask you to bless and protect all the children in our world. May all children grow in wisdom, age, and grace, and thus know and follow their special plan for their happiness.
The words were clearly redundant for Pope Francis tonight: a lone white prophet in the middle of a vast, darkened stage, the Pope granted his apostolic blessing, thanked the children for their reflections, and walked slowly, walking , towards the Basilica.
Photo gallery
Images of the Via Crucis from 2021 in Plaça de Sant Pere directed by Pope Francis