He Pope Leo XIV performed for the first time the ritual of foot washing he Maundy Thursdaythus marking a return to tradition for this rite that its predecessor Francisco He used to perform for the homeless, prisoners and other marginalized people.
The American Pope 70 years presides over the celebrations of the Easter weekwhich commemorate the last days of Cristo before his resurrection Passoverfor the first time since he was elected pontiff in May 2025.
On Thursday afternoon, the Pope celebrated the Last Supper Massin memory of Christ’s last meal with his disciples, in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Roma.
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Pope Leo, dressed in a white linen apron, poured water over the feet of twelve Roman priests before drying and kissing them, imitating the gesture of Christ towards the apostles according to Christian tradition.
During his 12 years of pontificate, his predecessor, the Argentine Francis, carried out this culminating act of Holy Week in prisons or refugee shelters, washing the feet of the sick, migrants or prisoners, even former members of the mafia, as a sign of respect for those who are often forgotten.
In April 2025a weakened and wheelchair-bound Francis made what turned out to be his last visit to a Rome prison, although he was unable to officiate the ceremony himself.
He died four days later, the day after Easter, at the age of 88.
Holy Thursday, from the heart
Upon returning to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Leo XIV marked a return to the classical form of this tradition on Holy Thursday, one that previous popes had observed, but he cited Francis in his homily.
“As Pope Francis once said: ‘This is a duty that comes from my heart: I love it. I love this and I love doing it because it is what the Lord has taught me to do,'” León quoted his predecessor in 2013.
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“As humanity is broken by so many acts of brutality, let us also kneel as brothers and sisters alongside the oppressed,” he continued in his homily.
On Good Friday, the Pope will preside over the celebration of the Passion and will participate in the traditional Via Crucis in it Rome Colosseuman evening ceremony that draws thousands of people to the illuminated amphitheater each year.
He himself will carry the cross through the 14 stations, recreating the journey of Jesusfrom his conviction to his crucifixion and burial, which represents a return to a tradition observed by John Paul II y Benedict XVI.
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