Pope Francis skips traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in chilly Rome
NPRPope Francis skips traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in chilly Rome Enlarge this image toggle caption Alessandra Tarantino/AP Alessandra Tarantino/AP ROME — Pope Francis, hospitalized recently with bronchitis, skipped the traditional Good Friday nighttime procession at the Colosseum because of chilly weather in Rome, staying instead at his home at the Vatican while thousands of faithful turned out for the torchlit event. Earlier on Friday, Francis presided at a two-hour long early evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica. The pope did keep his appointment at an early evening Good Friday prayer service at St. Peter's Basilica. During the Good Friday basilica ceremony, the pope at times sounded hoarse while reading aloud and when he gave his blessing at the end of the nearly two-hour long service.