In a last-minute decision, Pope Francis chose to skip his participation in the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution. The Vatican confirmed that the Pope would instead preside over the Easter Vigil service on Saturday night in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Easter Vigil service, one of the most significant moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar, is set to commence at 7:30 p.m. local time. Lasting approximately two hours, the service commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and involves the sacrament of baptism for eight adult converts.

At 87 years old, Pope Francis has been grappling with respiratory problems throughout the winter. These issues, which have made it challenging for him to speak at length, have led to the cancellation of some audiences. Frequently, he relies on an aide to read sections of his speeches. In light of the upcoming demanding obligations on Easter Sunday, Francis made the decision to preserve his health and forgo the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum.

The Vatican provided a brief statement explaining the Pope's absence from the Good Friday procession, stating it was to "conserve his health" ahead of the Easter Vigil service and his subsequent responsibilities on Easter Sunday. On that day, he is scheduled to preside over a morning Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square and deliver his Urbi et Orbi speech, offering prayers for an end to global crises.

While Pope Francis also skipped the Good Friday procession last year due to recovering from bronchitis, his abrupt absence this year raised concerns. His chair was prepared on the podium, and his aides were ready for his arrival when, just five minutes before the official start time, the Vatican announced that he would not be attending.

In addition to his ongoing respiratory issues, Pope Francis underwent surgery in 2021 to remove a portion of his large intestine. He was also hospitalized twice last year, once for the removal of intestinal scar tissue resulting from previous surgeries related to diverticulosis. Furthermore, he has been reliant on a wheelchair or cane for nearly two years due to knee ligament problems.

In his recently published memoir entitled "Life: My Story Through History," Pope Francis reassured readers that he does not possess any health problems that would necessitate his resignation. He expressed determination to continue pursuing his numerous projects and bring them to fruition.

The presence of Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil service serves as a moment of inspiration and reflection for Catholics worldwide. Despite his health challenges, the Pope remains committed to fulfilling his religious duties and spiritual leadership for the faithful.