Pope leads rites on Good Friday

Associated Press

ROME

Pope Benedict XVI encouraged those threatened by unemployment and other economic woes to draw courage and strength from the suffering of the crucified Jesus Christ as the pontiff presided over a Good Friday candlelit Way of the Cross procession at the ancient Colosseum.

Benedict, who turns 85 on April 16, didn’t carry the cross during the hourlong procession itself. Instead, he listened intently to meditations on suffering that he asked an elderly Italian couple to compose for the traditional ceremony. Then, as the final reflection was read aloud, the pontiff was handed the slender, lightweight wooden cross, which he held steadily for a few minutes.

Thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans jammed the boulevard outside the Colosseum and the ancient Roman Forum to pray with him on a mild, cloudy night and listen to hymns.

Faithful clutched candles and prayer books. A few held palms or olive branches they had saved from Palm Sunday, which opened solemn Holy Week ceremonies in the Catholic Church.

After the Colosseum appearance, Benedict’s next public ceremony is an Easter vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica this evening. Late Sunday morning, he will preside over an Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

Finally at noon Sunday, the pope will deliver a traditional Easter address to the square.