Pope Francis is presiding over a Good Friday torchlight procession at the Colosseum this evening - and is using the service to stress the persecution of Christians. The pope has repeatedly lamented Christian suffering in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. Reflecting this concern, among those chosen to take turns carrying the cross in the Way of the Cross procession in the ancient arena were faithful from Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt and China. Thousands of people congregate outside the Colosseum for tonight's Way of the Cross procession . Pope Francis prays in front of the Colosseum during the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession . A cross inside the Colosseum before the start of the procession - which commemorates the crucifixion . Several Italian families also carried the lightweight cross for a few steps. Standing under a red canopy this evening Francis listened to prayers affirming the right of religious freedom. Tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans held candles as they watched. Good Friday commemorates Jesus' death by crucifixion. A group of nuns hold their candles in front of the Colosseum as they wait for the pope to speak . A cross faces the Colosseum as a full moon rises before the start of the Via Crucis torchlight procession . The pope has repeatedly lamented Christian suffering in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere . Earlier today Pope Francis attended the Celebration of the Lord's Passion at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City . Those chosen to take turns carrying the cross were faithful from Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt and China . Standing under a red canopy this evening Francis listened to prayers affirming the right of religious freedom . Thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans held candles as they watched the procession and mass . After several Holy Week ceremonies, Francis will celebrate Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. Yesterday Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of a former Miss Italy contestant who was jailed after stealing her wealthy friends' credit cards. In what has become an annual Maundy Thursday tradition, Francis washed the feet of 12 prisoners detained at Rome's Rebibbia prison, including a transsexual. Model and TV presenter Silvy Lubamba, who is of Congolese origin, was the first ever black contestant in the Miss Italia competition, but was disqualified from the pageant because she had previously posed nude in a photoshoot. Scroll down for video . Feet washing: Pope Francis washes and kisses the feet of former Miss Italy contestant Silvy Lubamba, who was jailed for three years and nine months for the repeated fraudulent use of credit cards . Model and TV presenter Silvy Lubamba, who is of Congolese origin was the first ever black contestant in the Miss Italia competition . Pope Francis is helped to lie on the floor during a mass to celebrate the Lord's Passion, in St. Peter's basilica at the Vatican . Pope Francis lies on a mat on the ground to celebrate the Lord's Passion in St Peter's basilica today . She was sentenced to three years nine months for the repeated fraudulent use of credit cards and ATM cards belonging to friends. Miss Lubamba was wanted by Italian authorities for some time but they were unable to trace her until she reported some luggage stolen from a car in Milan last July. They rang her claiming that her baggage had been found and she was arrested when she came to the police station, according to Corriere della Sera. On Thursday she was tearful as Francis knelt to pour water over her feet before drying them with a cloth, and planting a kiss on one foot. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus washed his apostles' feet at the Last Supper (13: 2-17). Last year, the pope washed feet at a mass held at a rehabilitation facility for the elderly and those with disabilities. The year before, Francis performed the ritual at juvenile detention centre, washing the feet of Muslims as well as women in a papal first. Kind act: Pope Francis washes inmates' feet at Rebibbia prison in Rome yesterday after holding a Holy Thursday Mass for inmates . In what has become an annual Maundy Thursday tradition, Francis washed the feet of 12 prisoners detained at Rome's Rebibbia prison, including a transsexual . The Catholic church has imposed a ban on 'salutes' paying respect to mafia bosses during Easter Sunday's religious processions. In many Catholic countries, floats bearing statues of religious icons are carried round villages during Holy Week. In the south of Italy, the mafia exhibit their power through the approval of bishops and priests which allow them to gain influence and portray their members as close to the church. Last year processions were suspended in several southern towns after religious parade of worshippers bearing a statue of the Madonna in the town of Oppido Mamertina stopped to perform a 'bow' of homage at the house of a mafia godfather serving life imprisonment under house arrest for murder. Pope Francis has said that mafiosi are 'excommunicated' from the Church, and has called on them to convert or else go to hell. He ordered priests to be bolder in openly condemning the mob. One of Italy's southern bishops have issued a decree that those chosen to carry a statue of the Madonna 'should be chosen, under the direct responsibility of the parish, from among the faithful who regularly go to Sunday Mass and who are of proven Christian faith'. Bishop Francesco Milito, who presides over Oppido Mamertina, among other mafia-afflicted towns, said that the route taken by the appointed bearers must be vetted adding. 'We are determined to claim back, and indeed purify, this form of popular devotion, which is particularly connected to Holy Week.' Bishop Luigi Renzo, of the nearby diocese of Mileto-Tropea-Nicotera, said there needed to be 'definitive signs of a break with certain improper events of the past'. Icons and religious relics should only be carried by 'those known in the parish who are truly committed to walking the path of faith'. Anyone 'who is on trial for mafia association or who has a conviction' is automatically banned, unless they have publicly repented and expressed regret'. Mafia prosecutors have warned that Francis' life could be at risk from criminal organisations who are troubled by his clean up of corruption in the Curia and reform of the Vatican bank.
Pope is presiding over torchlight procession in front of the Colosseum .
He used Way of the Cross service to highlight persecution of Christians .
Pope Francis delivered Maundy Thursday Mass at Rebibbia prison .
Afterwards pontiff offered to kiss the feet of 12 of the jail's inmates .