Pope Francis presides over the Stations 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 offered by the reflections prepared by children.
By Linda Bordoni
The loneliness and isolation of men and women around the world, cut off from their families and friends, deprived of their jobs and livelihoods, in fear of an uncertain future for themselves and their children, were poignant 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 a nearly empty St. Peter’s Square due to restrictions put in place by the Italian government to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A solitary figure in white, seated in the middle of a bare podium in front of the Basilica, the Holy Father looked out over the darkened square where few children, accompanied by their parents, catechists and teachers, took turns round the obelisk.
One after the other read their reflections as their companions carried the cross along a circular path, marked by burning torches on the ground in the center of the square.
The Pope even chose this year to prepare children and young people – symbols of hope and future – for the meditations for the 2021 Away from the cross
The Via Crucis tradition
For over 50 years, since Pope Paul VI revived the ancient “Via Crucis” tradition in 1964, Popes have led this powerful rite that reenacts the passion and death of Jesus Christ against the backdrop of the Colosseum in Rome. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the restrictions put in place to curb infections have affected all public events, including this one. However, it is broadcast through the Vatican media and streamed to a global audience of hundreds of millions on all continents.
Each station began by reading the relevant passage from the Gospel account of the Passion, followed by a meditation. This was followed by the reading of a prayer by the Pope and the singing of a hymn.
No words needed
Pope Francis, it was clear, did not need words and did not preach.
Silence and contemplation of the crucifix have been the most powerful means of communication in a silenced world where the virus continues to bring grief and loneliness, and where marginalization, unemployment, poverty, injustice and the “virus” of indifference continue to cause death and despair. .
Children: hope for the future
During the 14th and final station, it was emphasized how children and young people hold the key and the hope of rebirth: ‘Lord, merciful Father’, was the prayer, ‘this year we have again followed your Son Jesus on the way of the cross . We followed him by listening to the voices and prayers of the children you presented to us as models for entering your kingdom. “
Help us to be like them: small, necessary, open to life. May we regain our purity of heart and our ability to see things in a clear light.
We ask you to bless and protect every child in our world. May all children grow in wisdom, age, and grace as you learn and follow your special plan for their happiness.
Words were clearly superfluous to Pope Francis tonight: a lone prophet in white in the center of a vast and darkened platform, the Pope gave his apostolic blessing, thanked the children for their reflections, and slowly walked back to the Basilica.
Photo gallery
Images of the Via Crucis in 2021 in St. Peter’s Square led by Pope Francis