The Vatican Press Office announced this morning that Pope Francis will not preside over the Holy Thursday and Good Friday celebrations during Holy Week. It was revealed that the Pope has prepared meditations for the Stations of the Cross on Friday evening at the Colosseum in Rome.
The office explained that the Holy Father has delegated several cardinals to lead the celebrations as he continues to recover from respiratory inflammation. Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, the retired president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, will lead the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday. Meanwhile, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, will officiate the Passion of Christ ceremony on Good Friday afternoon. Cardinal Baldasari Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, will conduct the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday evening.
No final decision has yet been made regarding the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday and the Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square. Traditionally, the Holy Father delivers his apostolic blessing, Urbi et Orbi ("to the city and the world"), from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday, often addressing significant global issues during the ceremony.