Pope Francis draws fire with plan to include Russian and Ukrainian families in Good Friday "Way of the Cross" procession

Rome — Pope Francis' decision to have both Ukrainian and Russian families carry a cross together during an annual Good Friday celebration this week has drawn a backlash. The suggestive, candle-lit "Way of the Cross" procession, which takes place in Rome's ancient Coliseum, commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth.  

Readings and prayers take place along 14 stations, representing specific events of that last day. Groups or individuals are chosen to carry the cross from one station to another.

This year, Pope Francis decided to include a meditation written jointly by two families, one Ukrainian and one Russian. At the 13th station, which represents Jesus' death on the cross, the two families will read the reflection on how the war has affected them, then women from each family will carry a wooden cross before passing it to a family of migrants at the next station. Both families live in Rome and the women are colleagues and friends.