Pope Francis will miss the Good Friday procession due to “extremely cold weather in Rome”, the Vatican said.
It is the first time the Pope will not preside at the Way of the Cross service, held at the Colosseum, since he was elected in 2013.
It comes after the 86-year-old left hospital last weekend following a bout of bronchitis.
He will still attend the indoor Passion of the Lord celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican, according to spokesperson Matteo Brun.