Pope Opts Out Of Carrying Cross In Good Friday Due To Rain

The 80-year-old pope had already decided to take part in only the final three of the 14 Stations of the Cross commemorating the path Jesus took to his crucifixion.

Instead the pontiff observed the rite from the Palatine Hill overlooking the Colosseum as Italian Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the vicar of Rome, completed the procession.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi had said Tuesday that since the pontiff's schedule is particularly hectic during Holy Week ahead of Easter, it was "wise for him to marshall his strength a bit" by limiting his participation in the Way of the Cross procession.

The last two years Benedict, who was elected in 2005, took part in the entire walk, carrying the cross at the first and last stations.

His predecessor John Paul II, who died on 2nd April 2005, aged 84, had done the walk for the last time in 2001.

In 2005, when Good Friday fell a week before his death, John Paul II watched the ceremony on television in his private chapel at the Vatican.

Benedict appears to be in good health, although no medical bulletin has been issued since the start of his papacy on 19th April 2005.

The German pope, who turns 81 on 16th April has three foreign trips looming: to the United States in April, Australia in July and France in September.

Source: DDNEWS