Pope Francis Returns to Traditional Foot Washing Ceremony with Priests

Pope Francis returned to the traditional practice of washing the feet of priests during Holy Week ceremonies, marking a departure from his predecessor's approach of including prisoners and sick individuals in the ritual. The Pope conducted the foot washing ceremony as part of the broader Holy Thursday observances at the Vatican. Earlier in the day, Francis celebrated the Chrism Mass, during which he blessed the holy oils used in Catholic sacraments throughout the year and called upon the faithful to fulfill the Church's mission. The return to washing priests' feet represents a shift back to the more conventional practice that was standard before recent papal innovations to the ancient ritual.