For the first time since his election as pope in May 2025, the 70-year-old pope is leading the Holy Week celebrations that commemorate Christ’s final days prior to his resurrection at Easter.
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During the traditional Holy Thursday ceremony, Pope Leo XIV washed the feet of 12 priests, reviving a practice that had been discontinued by his predecessor. This ritual, typically conducted by Francis, incorporated laypeople and non-Christians in various communal settings, including jails and shelters.
This marked the first time Pope Leo XIV engaged in the foot-washing ritual on Holy Thursday, signaling a return to tradition after his predecessor performed the rite for marginalized individuals such as the homeless and prisoners. pic.twitter.com/PMB3LiB1Ri
