Pope Washes Feet of 12 Female Convicts in Rome on Maundy Thursday
Throughout his mission, Pope Francis has given more space to women. This foot washing is specifically for women.
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Pope Francis performed a ritual of washing the feet of female prisoners during a visit to Rebibbia Prison, a women's prison, as part of the Maundy Thursday ritual in Rome, Italy, on Thursday (28/3/2024).
ROME, FRIDAY — Catholic leader Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 female inmates in a prison in Rome, Italy, Thursday (28/3/2024). This is part of the ritual Maundy Thursday in a series of Holy Triad ceremonies carried out by the Pope to emphasize and provide an example of his totality and humility in serving the people.
Christians around the world celebrate the Holy Triday as a commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Triday includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
An 87-year-old Pope, sitting on a wheelchair, conducted the Holy Thursday service for female prisoners at Rebibbia Prison in Rome, Italy. The female inmates sat on a raised platform and were individually approached by the Pope on his wheelchair.
Pope Francis took water, washed the feet of the female prisoners, wiped them with a cloth, then kissed them while looking gently and smiling at them.
Prisoners are considered to be the lowest in society. Female prisoners shed tears as the Pope washed and kissed their feet, before greeting them with a gentle smile.
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Rebibbia Prison is located 15 kilometers from Vatican. The prison holds 360 inmates and a boy who was with his imprisoned mother. The prison consists of two large and two small buildings and a garden in the middle of the complex.
Pope Francis kissed the feet of a female prisoner during a foot-washing ritual at Rebibbia Prison, a women's prison, as part of the Holy Thursday ritual in Rome, Italy on Thursday (28/3/2024).
The White Thursday ceremony is part of the Holy Week, with the peak of Easter commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. White Thursday is the moment when Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples during the last supper before he was crucified, which is commemorated in the Good Friday service.
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Since 2013, Pope Francis has made a breakthrough in worship at the Vatican by involving women and people of different religions and beliefs as a form of service to fellow human beings.
In 2015, the Pope washed the feet of six women and six men during the Maundy Thursday service. He has also washed the feet of Hindu and Orthodox citizens throughout his service as Pope.
Traditionally in the past, the Pope only washed and kissed the feet of Catholic men at the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. Pope Francis visits prisons, refugee centers, or juvenile detention facilities every year to emphasize his belief that service to the community specifically must reach those regarded as the most lowly and despicable in society.
In his brief homily, the Pope explained the meaning of the practice. "Jesus humbled himself," he said. "With this practice, he makes us understand what he said: 'I am not here to be served, but to serve.'"
“He taught us the path of service,” said the Pope.
Pope Francis arrived at the Rebibbia Prison, a prison for women, to perform the ritual of washing the feet of female prisoners as part of the Holy Thursday ritual in Rome, Italy on Thursday (28/3/2024).
Rebibbia prison was once visited and used by the Pope as a location for the foot-washing ritual in 2015. However, this is the first time the Argentine Pope has specifically dedicated the execution of the Holy Thursday ritual for women.
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"We have all experienced small failures, big failures," said the Pope in a homily delivered live during the mass in the prison yard. "Nevertheless, God always awaits us, with open arms, and He never tires of forgiving."
The mass was attended by around 370 women. The Pope appeared enthusiastic during his visit to the prison, even though he had led a long mass at St. Peter's Basilica the day before.
Pope Francis greeted a woman and her son as he left Rebibbia Prison, the site of the foot-washing ritual as part of the Holy Thursday service in Rome, Italy on Thursday (28/3/2024).
In the morning liturgy, the Pope delivered a long sermon and ordered the clergy in Rome to serve during Holy Week until the peak of Easter celebrations on Sunday (March 31, 2024). He appeared fit and strong during the series of worship.
A whale faced respiratory disruption at the end of 2023 and asked for assistance from an aide to read the sermon to the congregation. Last Palm Sunday, he missed delivering his sermon during the mass.
A visit to Rebibbia Prison is like giving new spirit to the Pope. He appeared happy to receive various vegetables grown in the prison and also two stoles knitted by inmates.
The Pope then gave a picture of Mother Mary as a gift to the prisoners. The picture of Mother Mary was previously a gift received by the Pope from someone else. When receiving the gift, Pope Francis immediately remembered the female prisoners in Rebibbia.
The Pope also gave Easter egg-shaped chocolates to the child of a prisoner. The celebration of Holy Week will drain the stamina of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis (center) leads mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Thursday (28/3/2024).
This Friday, the Pope is scheduled to visit the Colosseum to review the way of the cross before Christ's crucifixion. Meanwhile, on Saturday there is a candle lighting event at St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Eve. Followed a few hours later by Easter mass, Sunday (31/3/2024) morning, and the sermon Urbi et Orbi(Message to the City and the World).
In his Urbi et Orbi message, the Pope usually highlights global conflicts and various disasters that have befallen humanity.
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Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has provided more space for the role of women, including allowing women and girls to serve at the altar. Pope Francis also formed a commission to study the role of women deacons and church reform. (AP/AFP)
