Pope breaks with tradition by washing only women's feet during Holy Thursday mass

Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 female inmates in a Rome prison during Holy Thursday mass.

The 87-year-old pontiff performed the ritual in his wheelchair after recent illnesses worsened his mobility problems.

Women at Rebibbia prison sat on benches on a raised platform, allowing the pope to move easily down the line from his wheelchair without having to strain.

Many of the women cried as Francis washed their feet, gently pouring water over a bare foot and drying it with a small towel. He finished the gesture by kissing each foot, often looking at the woman with a smile.

The foot washing ceremony of Maundy Thursday is a hallmark of every Holy Week and is reminiscent of the foot washing that Jesus performed on his 12 apostles at their last supper together before being crucified.

Previously, popes performed the ritual on Catholic men only in the basilica in Rome. However, Pope Francis revolutionized the Vatican ritual by insisting, since his first Maundy Thursday as pope in 2013, on including women and people of other religions among the 12.

Since his election, the Pope has removed this ceremony from Vatican territory and celebrated it by washing the feet of prisoners, refugees and the disabled.

Over the years, Francis has washed the feet of women and Muslims. However, Michael Walsh, a prominent Church historian and author, and Father Anthony Ruff, a liturgical expert, told CNN they believe this is the first time a pope has washed women's feet exclusively during the ceremony.

Nadia Fontana, director of the women's prison in Rome where the event took place, said it was the first time a pope had entered the facility, which she said held 360 prisoners and one child.

Source: www.lindaikejisblog.com