Pope Francis washes the feet of twelve prisoners on Holy Thursday

he Pope Francisco He returned to the prison where 10 years ago he began the liturgy.in Domini CoinAnd in each of them Holy Thursday He washes the feet of twelve prisoners in remembrance of the gesture he made Issa With his twelve apostles before he was crucified.

Pope went to Casa del Marmo in Romea juvenile prison located on the outskirts of RomeWhere, after his sermon, in which he encouraged believers to help each other, he got up from his wheelchair to wash and kiss the feet of ten men and two women.

Franciscowho was discharged last Saturday after being hospitalized for three days Jamili Hospital Due to bronchitis, he could not kneel, but made this gesture standing and without assistance.

twelve Young prisonersFor their part, they were waiting for his arrival dad sitting in a the attic. Among them were ten boys – five of legal age and five minors – and two girls – one of legal age and one minor -.

As detailed before Holy SeeTwo guys out Romalast CroatianAnother Romanian, Russian, Senegalese and Muslim.

That draws attention Issa, just one day before his crucifixion, he had this gesture to wash his feet. So it was customary to do this before entering the house, but it was important SlavesHe told them all and the hundred people gathered in a church prison.

“I’m going to make the same gesture, but it’s not something folkloric, it’s a gesture that shows how we should be with others,” he explained, before encouraging people to help each other.

Francisco had already celebrated the ritual in the same prison a decade earlier, in 2013, the year of his papal election. Since then, he has gone through multiple prisons in all but 2020 and 2021 of Holy Week celebrations, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last year, he resumed the tradition in a private Mass of which only a few images have been released, but even so, this time the Vatican has recorded and broadcast the entire Mass.

“Jesus knows everything and loves us. And he washes our feet all together,” said Francisco, who delivered the homily, while the Eucharist was led by Cardinal Diego Ravelli.

After Mass, Francisco shared a few minutes with the inmates, who presented him with a cross made in a carpentry course, as well as some biscuits and a box of pasta, both made in the center’s kitchens, the Holy See noted.

For her part, the director of the prison, Maria Teresa Iuliano, thanked the Pope for his visit and told him: “You disarm us with your immense sweetness and lead us to what is necessary.”

Francisco participates in Holy Week after being admitted to the hospital

On Thursday morning, the Pope presided over the Chrism Mass, which commemorates the founding of the sacrament of priestly order by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper and is dedicated to priests renewing vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Tomorrow Francisco will also witness the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in the Colosseum, on Holy Saturday he will preside over Easter Vigil and on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square he will officiate the Resurrection Mass and give the traditional Orbe and Orbe blessing. On the central balcony of the facade of the Vatican Cathedral.

With information from EFE