Rome, Good Friday

Rome, Good Friday

What an opportunity to be in Rome for the Easter weekend.  We landed just before noon on Good Friday.  After a day around the town, we attended the Stations of the Cross led by the Pope at the ancient Colosseum.  Don't know the crowd size but the area was full.  It was a neat experience, but a little hard to follow in Italian.    

 We took the subway from our hotel to the Circo Massima stop  (old chariot race course) and walked back up the hill to the Colosseum.  Lots of people so we stood on the hill overlooking the Colosseum, the courtyard, and the Palatine Hill.

Colosseum coming up in the distance.

The arch of Constantine was built in 312 AD to commemorate  his victory over Maxentius, the existing Roman Emperor.  He had a vision on the night before his battle which led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. His victory led him to allow Christianity to be worshipped. 

The red tent is for the Pope on top of Palatine hill, overlooking the Colosseum.  A cross of candles lit the area. The columns of the ancient basilica are in the background.

The Colosseum at night

 The Pope leading the Stations of the Cross

 Another Colosseum shot.