GOOD FRIDAY: THE WAY OF THE CROSS

The Holy Father presides over the Way of the Cross.



For Pope Francis, Good Friday shrouded in grief over persecuted Christians

Both Pope Francis' Good Friday service at the Vatican and the Stations of the Cross held at the Colosseum later in the day zeroed-in on the plight of persecuted Christians around the world.

"In you, Divine Love, we see again today our persecuted brethren: beheaded, crucified, for their faith in you, beneath our eyes, or often with our complicit silence," he said in a brief reflection April 3 following the Way of the Cross.

The Pope's remarks come one day after the massacre of 147 students – mostly Christian, separated from their Muslim colleagues at the start of the attack – at Kenya's Garissa University College at the hands of Somalian Al Shebaab gunmen.

Earlier today, Pope Francis condemned "this act of senseless brutality," in a letter of condolence to the Kenyan Bishop's conference, praying "for a change of heart among its perpetrators."

According to the letter which was signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father called on authorities to increase their efforts in bringing an end to violence, promoting justice and peace.

Earlier in the day, during celebrations for the Passion of Our Lord in Saint Peter's Basilica, papal preacher Father Raniero Cantalamessa also touched on the Kenya massacre, and other recent examples of Christian persecution.

Speaking also of the 21 Coptic Christians killed by ISIS last February, Fr. Cantalamessa said Christ gave them "the strength to die whispering the name of Jesus."

Also read: The Violence of the Crucifixion