Pope Francis observes Good Friday

Pope Francis lies down in prayer during Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Friday. Pope Francis began the Good Friday service with the Passion of Christ Mass and hours later went to the ancient Colosseum in Rome for the traditional Way of the Cross procession.

Francis praised the “friendship of so many Muslim brothers” during the procession that re-enacts Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and this year was dedicated to the plight of Christians in the Middle East.

He recalled Benedict XVI’s 2012 visit to Lebanon when “we saw the beauty and the strong bond of communion joining Christians together in that land and the friendship of our Muslim brothers and sisters and so many others,” he said. “That occasion was a sign to the Middle East and to the whole world: a sign of hope.”