The Stations of Cross in Rome at Easter time

Soon we will celebrate Easter, and one of the biggest Italian events related to it is the Stations of the Cross, also known as The Way of the Cross, or Via Crucis (Latin, "way of the cross") or Via Dolorosa (Latin, "way of grief").

We call it by using its Latin name, and it takes place on Good Friday. Yes, it's a religious ceremony and yes, it will be aired live on RAI UNO, one of our main TV channels, not to mention the fact that it will be transmitted on worldwide television in 70 countries and translated in seven languages.

I think we all agree about the fact that Pope Francis is a very lovable person. Even if you are not Catholic, I'm pretty sure you noticed the difference he made since 2012, when we was elected.

All around the country people celebrate the Station of the Cross: in Saluzzo, my hometown, for example, starting at 9ish pm, pilgrims walk from the church up to the hill (which is close to my parents' house) to the Dome, in the city center, simulating the path Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.

While praying the Rosary, people slowly walk along the street, pausing at each station for quiet meditation and church songs.

The biggest Via Crucis takes place in Rome, which is probably the best evocative scenario for this event, not only because of Vatican City, but also because it commemorates all the Christians who died in the Colusseum while supporting and praying Jesus. That’s one of the reasons why the event runs the short distance from the Colusseum to the Temple of Venus, located in the Roman Forum.

Celebrated by the Pope, the Stations of the Cross deal with the dramatic moments of the Passion of Christ and it is as faithfully as possible the events of the real Passion, in particular during the finale. That means that both pilgrims and tourists can have a very hard moment to accept the scenario they find. Near the Convent of St. Bonaventure on the Palatine, amidst the ancient ruins and the typical vegetation, they are basically witnesses of Jesus’s death.

Thousands of spectators go to Rome in order to watch this event and to meet the Pope. In fact, he himself usually carries the cross from Station to Station, even of, due to health or age, can decide to preside over the celebration while staying on a stage located on the Palatine Hill.

Pope Francis will carry it this year, so if you are in the city, do not miss the chance to be a part of this very important moment.

The last big Easter celebration dates back to 2000, the Great Jubilee Year. For that occasion, Holy John Paul II (who was the Pope at that time) wrote himself the full text of the event.