Under driving wind and rain, Pope Benedict XVI opted out of carrying a symbolic cross of Jesus Christ to conclude a traditional Good Friday procession.

Thousands of pilgrims in Jerusalem have taken part in the traditional procession on the Via Dolorosa, which according to the scriptures is the road taken by Jesus Christ when he carried his cross to the site of his crucifixion. Many of the pilgrims carried a wooden cross.

Christians in Jerusalem are observing Good Friday.

Pope Benedict XVI will hold a solemn service in Saint Peter's Basilica Friday on the Passion of the Lord, in commemoration of Good Friday. Later, he will take part in the traditional "Way of the Cross" procession at Rome's ancient Coliseum.

Good Friday is being observed across the world since the Pope will hold two services commemorating Christ's crucifiction including a procession around the ruins of Rome's Colosseum and has also called on Catholics to be of service to each other and confess their sins.

For the second year, Pope Benedict led the traditional Way of the Cross procession in Rome's ancient Coliseum. Thousands took part in the solemn ceremony. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Christians around the world are marking Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion. There was a big turnout for the traditional observance in Jerusalem, as we hear in this VOA report from Robert Berger who was on-scene.