With Easter Sunday just on the horizon , Christians across American observed Good Friday , which commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ . 'Way of the Cross ' walks took place in Ohio , Pennsylvania and over the Brooklyn Bridge , among others . These were just a few of the events that were taking place all over the world as Holy Week , which began on Palm Sunday , nears its end . Tens of thousands of people flocked to Pope Francis ' Good Friday torchlight procession at the Colosseum in Rome . The pope used the service to stress the persecution of Christians . On Thursday the pope washed the feet of 12 inmates and a baby at Rome 's main prison in a pre-Easter ritual meant to show his willingness to serve . NEW YORK . A 'Way of the Cross ' procession makes its way from Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan on Good Friday in New York . Firefighter John Bartlett holds the cross as the procession reaches Lower Manhattan . The Way of the Cross is made up of fourteen stations that are related to the hours of Jesus Christ 's life leading up to and after his crucifixion . The stations include Jesus carrying the cross , Jesus being nailed to the cross and Jesus being placed in the tomb . CALIFORNIA . An actor portraying Jesus carries a cross as he leads a religious procession in Los Angeles . The actors , which are also portraying Roman soldiers , are reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ . There is no celebration of Mass on Good Friday , which many people fast on and abstain from meat . Good Friday is observed as a national holiday in a number of countries , including Australia , Brazil , Spain and the United Kingdom . Good Friday is not a government holiday in the United States but various states observe it as one , including Connecticut , Louisiana , Texas and New Jersey . INDIANA . An actor portraying Jesus is lashed by 'the Romans ' during a reenactment of the Good Friday story in LaPorte , Indiana . During the reenactment , a woman tries to comfort Jesus as he rests for a moment . An actor portraying Jesus is raised on his cross during St. Joseph Catholic Church 's rendition of the crucifixion . PENNSYLVANIA . 11-year-old T.J. New carries a wooden cross as members of the Forest Hills ministries march between two Methodist churches in Sidman , Pennsylvania . Members of Holy Annunciation Church in Hazleton walked for two miles throughout the city to commemorate the Stations of the Cross . During the procession women of the parish dressed as the women of Jerusalem and wept as Jesus died . At the 12th station , Jesus , portrayed by Luis Arias , is nailed to the cross . MISSISSIPPI . The crucifixion of Christ is reenacted by members of the Hispanic Ministry of The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in The Passion of Christ in downtown Jackson . Cathedral Rector Fr . Anthony Quyet Nguyen , right , leads parishioners during the reenacting of The Passion of Christ in Smith Park . Victor Gomez , assuming the role of Jesus Christ , carries the cross during the reenaction . A number of members of the church played roles and dressed up for the reenactment . The group is the largest and oldest Catholic Hispanic ministry in the Jackson Diocese . OHIO . Reverand Joshua Michaels carries a cross at the start of a Good Friday cross walk in Andover . Participants in a Good Friday cross walk along Route 7 in the village of Andover . Nicholas Prill , right , and Neftali Ortiz carry a large wooden cross during the Ashtabula Area Ministerium Cross Walk . Participants make their way through Ashtabula . Good Friday is followed by Holy Saturday , which commemorates the day that Jesus Christ 's body lay in the tomb .
Good Sunday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ . 'Way of the Cross ' walks took place in Ohio , Pennsylvania , Los Angeles and over the Brooklyn Bridge , among others . Just a few of the events that were taking place all over the world at Holy Week nears its end . Tens of thousands of people flocked to Pope Francis ' Good Sunday procession at the Colosseum in Rome .