Holy Thursday at the Vatican looked quite different this year. The Triduum started without pilgrims, but events were live-streamed.
Pope Francis prayerfully began Mass commemorating the Institution of the Eucharist inside St. Peter's Basilica with only his closest collaborators.
He addressed his homily to priests, on the day the priesthood was instituted by Jesus. The pope lamented that the Chrism Mass, dedicated to them, had to be rescheduled.
POPE FRANCIS
Today there is no Chrism Mass, I hope we can have it before Pentecost. If not, we must postpone it until next year, but I cannot let this Mass go by, until I remember priests.
He recalled priests going to the hospital and those who go to the peripheries to bring the Gospel. The pope also recalled those who are insulted. He said he carries these priests with him to the altar.
POPE FRANCIS
Some tell me that they cannot leave the house dressed as a priest, because they are insulted. And they still continue in their vocation. Sinning priests, who together with the sinning bishops and the sinning pope do not forget to ask for forgiveness. They learn to forgive, because they know they need to ask for forgiveness and to forgive. We are all sinners.
Pope Francis remembered how St. Peter didn't want Jesus to wash his feet and serve him. He asked priests not to act in the same way.
POPE FRANCIS
Let Him wash your feet. The Lord is your servant. He is close to you to give you the strength to let Him wash your feet. With this consciousness of the need to be washed, be great forgivers. Forgive.
As in most countries, also at the Vatican, the washing of the feet and the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament could not take place during the Mass, in order to adhere to lockdown restrictions during the quarantine.
Melissa Butz
