It is customary for the Pope to visit a prison every Holy Thursday to wash the feet of the inmates.
One of his most famous visits was in 2024, when the Pope, for the first time, performed the Holy Thursday custom on women only.
Previously, the Pope had visited juvenile detention centers and other prisons. One of them was Regina Coeli, just a few steps from the Vatican. Some of the inmates weren’t even Christian, but when they were told the Pope would be spending Holy Thursday there, they couldn’t believe it.
ALI BAHAZE
When I arrived, I said to my companion next to me. But … do we have to wash ourselves or the Pope? And he said: 'No. It is he who does it. ' The Pope then explained that as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, so would he. I still did not believe it but when he approached me, I started crying … I could not believe it.
For you this has been like a caress from God?
Yes. Yes
The Holy Thursday of 2021 was also noticeable, as the Pope decided to celebrate Mass privately at the home of Angelo Becciu— the cardinal whom the Pope had stripped the rights of just a few months earlier.
But if there was one Holy Thursday celebration that truly lives in people’s memory, it was when Pope Francis celebrated Mass at a refugee reception center. At the end, the Pope performed this act of kindness.
POPE FRANCIS
Now I would like to greet each of you, from the bottom of my heart. I thank you for this.
Pope Francis spent over half an hour greeting each and every person present, one by one.
JRB
TR: CRT
