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Pope Francis on Thursday has washed the toes of 12 girls at a jail in Rome throughout a ceremony emphasizing humility. It’s the first time the pope has washed the toes of ladies solely in the course of the particular annual service.
The 87-year-old pontiff, who has been experiencing well being and mobility difficulties not too long ago, led the ceremony at Rebibbia jail in Rome, washing the toes of every of the ladies from his wheelchair, a lot of whom had been in tears as he did so.
The foot-washing ritual takes place on the Thursday earlier than Easter and seeks to mimic Jesus Christ’s washing of his disciples’ toes the night time earlier than he died.
Since his election, the pope has taken this ceremony out of Vatican territory and celebrated by washing the toes of prisoners, refugees and the disabled.
Through the years, Francis has washed the toes of ladies and Muslims. Nevertheless, Michael Walsh, a outstanding church historian and creator, and Fr Anthony Ruff, a liturgical knowledgeable, each informed CNN they imagine that is the primary time a pope has washed the toes of ladies completely in the course of the ceremony.
Nadia Fontana, the director of the feminine jail in Rome the place the occasion befell, stated it was the primary time a pope had entered their facility, which she stated held 360 prisoners and one baby.
Within the early years of his preach, the pope modified church guidelines to formally embrace girls within the ceremony, a transfer that met resistance within the Vatican.
His predecessor, Benedict XVI, solely washed the toes of males, and later switched to washing solely the toes of monks.
Pope Francis unexpectedly skipped delivering his homily in the course of the Palm Sunday Mass service on the Vatican final week, though he was capable of preside over the service and was later pushed round within the popemobile.
The service marked the start of Holy Week, probably the most sacred week within the church’s calendar as Christians all over the world put together to rejoice Easter, and his resolution to skip the homily, or reflection, was a shock.
The pontiff has in current weeks had aides learn out a number of of his speeches after affected by a bout of ailing well being. On February 28, he was admitted to hospital for assessments. Over the winter months, Francis has battled with bouts of bronchitis, chilly and flu.
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