Thousands of pilgrims join Stations of the Cross route in Jerusalem for Good Friday

Thousands of pilgrims have joined the annual Stations of the Cross procession in the old town of Jerusalem as Christians around the world were marking Good Friday.

In the years leading up to the war in the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands used to attend the pilgrimage that marks significant moments in Jesus Christ’s final day up to being placed in the tomb.

But following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the number of pilgrims from abroad has declined dramatically.

Meanwhile, Israel has significantly curbed crossings from the occupied West Bank.

According to a DPA reporter at the scene, turnout at this year’s procession was higher than in 2024, including more people from abroad as well as many Arab Christians from Jerusalem.

Singing and praying, pilgrims walked along the Via Dolorosa - Latin for “Way of Sorrows”.

Some were carrying wooden crosses as a reminder that Christ was forced to carry the cross he was later nailed to along this route.

The route, which includes a total of 14 stations, leads from the Church of the Flagellation to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ was buried, according to Christian belief.

According to Ibrahim Faltas, a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Order and Custodian of the Holy Land, Israel only allowed 6000 Christians from the occupied West Bank to enter the country to attend Easter celebrations this year.

Only about 180,000 people in the Jewish state of 10 million are Christians.

East Jerusalem and the West Bank are estimated to be home to 50,000 Christians while about 1000 are said to be living in the sealed-off Gaza Strip.

Easter is the holiest holiday for Christians worldwide.

On Good Friday, they mark the crucifixion of Christ while Easter Sunday commemorates his resurrection from the dead.