An ailing Pope John Paul has cut back his participation in traditional Good Friday services at Rome's ancient Colosseum after praying for peace in the Middle East during services at the Vatican. 

For the first time, the pope did not take any steps in the solemn "stations of the cross" commemoration of Jesus' suffering before his crucifixion. The pope sat through the ceremony and only rose at the end to briefly hold a three kilogram crucifix that had been carried by someone else. 

The 81-year-old pontiff used to carry a cross as he led the procession of thousands by flickering candlelight at the Colosseum, but he has been increasingly troubled by painful arthritis. He reportedly also suffers from advanced Parkinson's disease, forcing him to curtail his schedule. 

Despite the pope's physical difficulties, the Vatican says Pope John Paul will attend all services this weekend. The pontiff will take part in Saturday's Easter vigil service and will celebrate Easter mass tomorrow. A special altar will be built to limit the pope's walking. 

On Friday, as is traditional, Pope John Paul listened to confessions from nine people chosen at random at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Basilica.And he heard a preacher at the Vatican Good Friday service call on the powerful of the earth not to imitate Pontius Pilate and wash their hands of the situation in the Middle East. 

According to Christian scriptures, Pilate, who was the Roman governor of Judaea, washed his hands to show he did not want to be responsible for Christ's death, before condemning him at the request of Jewish leaders. 

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.

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