The Pontiff celebrated the traditional rite of Holy Week
Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 inmates in the women’s penitentiary of Rebibbia, in Rome, in one of the most traditional rites of Holy Week, this Thursday (28).
The prisoners were of different nationalities and showed great emotion in being in front of Jorge Bergoglio, who, since the beginning of his pontificate, created the habit of celebrating the ritual of foot washing in Italian prisons.
With mobility problems due to his advanced age, the 87-year-old Pope did not kneel this time and remained seated in his wheelchair as he washed, dried and kissed the feet of prisoners, many of whom were unable to hold back their tears .
Francis also celebrated the homily “In coena Domini” in Rebibbia, the mass of the washing of the feet, and recalled that the rite refers to the vocation to service. “With the washing of the feet, Jesus humbles himself and makes us understand what he said: ‘I did not come to be served, but to serve'”, said Bergoglio.
After the ceremonies, the inmates gave the Pope vegetables from the prison farm, a rosary with rainbow-colored stones and white and purple stoles embroidered in the prison’s sewing workshop.
The pontiff brought the prisoners a painting of the Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus and a giant Easter egg.
The foot washing mass is part of the calendar of Holy Week rites, which will continue this Friday (29th), with the Via Crucis.
On Saturday evening (30), the Pope will hold the Easter vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica and, on Sunday (31), he will pronounce the message “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the city and to the world”), in which he addresses the main current crises . .
Source: Terra
Mary is a professional journalist, working at 247 News Update. She writes on various topics from world news to general interest article, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
