Pope's thoughts with persecuted Catholics

The pope will meditate on the persecution of Catholics in China and elsewhere during a Good Friday procession at Rome’s Coliseum.

He asked Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, an outspoken champion of religious freedom who at times has angered Beijing authorities, to compose this year’s prayers for the Good Friday Via Crucis procession. The ceremony commemorates Christ’s suffering and crucifixion.

The pope will preside over the torch-lit ceremony at the Coliseum tomorrow evening.

Cardinal Zen says the pontiff asked him to compose the prayers because he wanted to pay attention to Chinese Catholics.

In one of the prayers, the cardinal laments the persecution felt by many Catholics. He also prays for government authorities to respect religious freedom.