ROME – Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 female inmates at a Rome prison Thursday night, becoming the first pontiff to not include men in the Maundy Thursday ritual.
The church’s custom of washing the feet of the 12 people is intended to commemorate the moment of Jesus’ baptism at the Last Supper. washed According to Catholic beliefs, the feet of the 12 apostles are prepared before ordaining them as priests who will celebrate the Eucharist.
On Thursday the Pope traveled Sitting in a wheelchair at Rome’s Rebibbia women’s prison, he washed and kissed the feet of 12 female inmates, many of whom were moved to tears.
in him pious The Pope told inmates and prison staff that Jesus humbled himself as he washed the feet of the apostles, and that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to be served” (Mark 10).・45) He said that he made us understand the depth of the words. ).
Pope Francis presides over a foot-washing ceremony during the Lord’s Supper Mass in the women’s section of Rome’s Rebibbia Prison on March 28, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Vatican Pool via Vatican Media/Getty Images)
Francis also spoke of the betrayal of Judas, who handed Jesus over to the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver: “He gave in to money and selfishness and did this ugly thing.”
“But Jesus forgives everything. Jesus always forgives. All he asks is for us to forgive,” he added.
“We all experience small failures and big failures. Everyone has their own story,” he said. “But the Lord is always waiting for us with open arms and never tires of forgiving.”
Pope Francis arrives at the women’s corner of Rebibbia Prison in Rome for the Lord’s Supper Mass on March 28, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Vatican Pool via Vatican Media/Getty Images)
The foot washing ceremony was instituted by Pope St. Gregory II in the 6th century, but later fell into disuse. It was revived in 1959 by Pope John XXIII.
Pope Francis washed the feet of two young women along with 10 men at a juvenile prison in Rome on Maundy Thursday in 2013, becoming the first pontiff to include women in the ritual.
