Pope presides at Good Friday Colosseum procession
Heavy security greets pilgrims
VATICAN CITY - Thousands of people, including nuns, families with toddlers, and young tourists, patiently endured exceptionally tight security checks to pray along with Pope Francis at the traditional Way of the Cross Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.
Francis, wearing a plain white coat, presided over the evening procession from a rise overlooking the popular tourist monument as the faithful took turns carrying a tall cross and meditations were recited to encourage reflection on Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion.
Hours before the evocative, candlelit ceremony, pilgrims underwent the first of two rounds of security checks that started while they still were blocks away from the ancient arena. There was a heavier-than-usual police presence.
Anti-terrorism measures have been heightened for large public crowds after several vehicle attacks in Nice, Berlin and other European cities.
Police opened handbags and backpacks. They checked computers, and, in at least one case, asked an Italian woman to open a package. It turned out to be a tray of pastries.
Streets surrounding the Colosseum were closed to traffic, armored vehicles blocked intersections, bomb-sniffing dogs were used and police checked chemical toilets with scanners for explosives near the Colosseum.
“I believe that we have a situation in which we Europeans have to unite and take the issue of security very seriously,” Jose de Laoz, a businessman from Spain, said while the security sweeps were conducted near the Colosseum.
Terrorism’s repercussions were being felt in Christian communities across the Mediterranean. In Cairo, Egypt, the Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II on Friday canceled most Easter celebrations, limiting them to a simple Mass, following the recent twin attacks on churches by Islamic State militants that killed dozens of Christian worshippers.
During his sermon on Good Friday, Pope Tawadros said, “Easter celebrations shouldn’t come at a time of offering condolences to our martyrs.”
He said that the Easter morning reception, in which worshippers exchange greetings, would also be canceled. In a rare show of discontent and anger, several dioceses and monasteries across the country issued similar statements.
After the deadly attacks, Christians blamed the government for failing to protect churches.
During Palm Sunday prayers, suicide bombers targeted two separate churches packed with worshippers in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and the Nile Delta city of Tanta, killing 45.
The Alexandria attack took place as Pope Tawadros was presiding over the service, but managed to escape unharmed.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility and vowed to wage more attacks against Christians, who make up 10% of the population.