Pope Francis washes women's feet
Associated Press |
Updated: March 29, 2013 08:21 IST
Rome: In his most
significant break with tradition yet, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet
of two young women at a juvenile detention centre - a surprising departure from
church rules that restrict the Holy Thursday ritual to men.
No pope has ever washed the feet of a woman before, and Francis' gesture sparked a debate among some conservatives and liturgical purists, who lamented he had set a "questionable example." Liberals welcomed the move as a sign of greater inclusiveness in the church.
Speaking to the young offenders, including Muslims and Orthodox Christians, Francis said that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion in a gesture of love and service.
"This is a symbol, it is a sign. Washing
your feet means I am at your service," Francis told the group, aged 14 to
21, at the Casal del Marmo detention facility in Rome.No pope has ever washed the feet of a woman before, and Francis' gesture sparked a debate among some conservatives and liturgical purists, who lamented he had set a "questionable example." Liberals welcomed the move as a sign of greater inclusiveness in the church.
Speaking to the young offenders, including Muslims and Orthodox Christians, Francis said that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion in a gesture of love and service.
"Fr. Francis Jalics. Credit: File Photo/CAN |"