He arrived in a convoy of Italian police cars at Civitavecchia Prison, a port city 50 miles northwest of Rome. The ritual was closed to the public for security reasons and to protect the privacy of detainees. But then the Vatican said that the Pope washed his feet, following the example of Jesus, “as a sign of love inspired by love” with the aim of service and humility. Pope Francis washed the feet of twelve prisoners in a prison near Rome in a Holy Thursday ritual. Photo: Pope Francis performs “Foot Wash” for prisoners during a private visit to Civitavecchia Prison, northwest of Rome The 12 detainees include men and women of different ages and nationalities, he said. Symbolizing the number of Jesus’ apostles, the twelve sat in chairs on an elevated platform. The pope washed, dried and then kissed the feet of each of the detainees, all those wearing masks against the spread of COVID-19. Some prisoners bent down to kiss the pope’s hands in gratitude. In the chapel of the prison, the Pope performed a Liturgy which was attended by prisoners, some prison officials and the Minister of Justice of Italy, the Vatican said in a statement. The Vatican did not say what arrangements could be made for the pope, who has suffered from a knee ligament problem in recent years, to perform the foot-washing ceremony. For years, Francis also suffered from sciatica, an inflammation of the nerves that can cause back and leg pain. Earlier, during Holy Thursday at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Francis advised the 1,800 priests in attendance not to focus on worldly concerns such as power or position, but urged them to “serve, with a clear conscience, the saints.” faithful people of God “. Pope Francis washes prisoners’ feet at Civitavecchia prison in Civitavecchia, April 14 Francis made no mention of decades of scandals involving Catholic priests who sexually abused children and were often carried from parish to parish by bishops who sought to avoid embarrassment instead of protecting minors. During Holy Thursday Liturgy, large containers of oil are blessed for use in ceremonies in churches in the region of Rome. When Francis went to bless the oil by inhaling it, an aide helped him get up from his chair and walk to the silver shrine. At the end of the ceremony, Francis came down the stairs from the altar stuck in the hand of an assistant, and even while they were helping him, he came out limping outside the basilica. Holy Week, which attracts hundreds of thousands of worshipers to the Vatican, began with Holy Sunday service on April 10 in St. Peter’s Square and culminates this Sunday at Easter, when worshipers mark the resurrection of Jesus. This year, the Good Friday torchlight procession on the Way of the Cross in Rome returns to its traditional place in the ancient Colosseum after a two-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 12 detainees who took part in the ceremony included men and women of different ages and nationalities. Photo: Pope greets people in Rome jail on Thursday Holy Week, which attracts hundreds of thousands of worshipers to the Vatican, began with Holy Sunday service on April 10 in St. Peter’s Square and culminates this Sunday at Easter, when worshipers mark the resurrection of Jesus. Photo: Some of the 1,800 priests attending the service of Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, April 14 The Vatican has invited a Russian woman and a Ukrainian woman working together in a hospital in Rome to carry a cross during the procession. This has angered some Ukrainians, including the country’s ambassador to the Holy See and the archbishop of Kiev. Their objections focus on whether such a gesture, which suggests reconciliation, is appropriate, given Russia’s invasion of its neighbor and the ongoing war against the country’s people. The Vatican continues with the procession of participants in the procession, who take turns carrying a light cross during the procession, which is presided over by the pope and commemorates the death of Jesus from the crucifixion.
