Pope Francis Breaks Tradition By Washing Feet Of Only Women

During Holy Thursday Mass in a Rome jail, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 female detainees.

The 87-year-old pontiff completed the liturgy in his wheelchair after previous illnesses exacerbated his mobility issues.

The women at the Rebibbia jail venue sat on chairs on a high platform, allowing the pope to travel along the queue in his wheelchair without difficulty.

Many of the women cried while Francis cleaned their feet, gently pouring water over one bare foot and patted it dry with a little towel. He concluded the ceremony by kissing each foot, often smiling up at the woman.

The Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony is a Holy Week tradition that recounts Jesus washing the feet of his 12 apostles at their last meal before he was crucified.

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Previously, the popes exclusively performed the ritual on Catholic men in a Rome basilica. Pope Francis, on the other hand, transformed the Vatican’s Holy Thursday ritual by insisting on including women and people of other faiths among the 12.

Since his election, the pope has taken this ceremony outside of the Vatican and celebrated it by washing the feet of prisoners, refugees, and those with disabilities.

Over the years, Francis has washed the feet of both women and Muslims. However, Michael Walsh, a notable church historian and author, and Fr Anthony Ruff, a liturgical specialist, both told CNN that they believe this is the first time a pope has bathed only women’s feet during the procedure.

Nadia Fontana, the director of the female jail in Rome where the ceremony took place, stated that it was the first time a pope had entered the facility, which housed 360 convicts and one kid.

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