Pope Francis today kneeled before 12 juvenile detainees in a Rome detention center during a Holy Thursday ceremony. He washed, dried and kissed their feet. Two in the group were women, two were Muslims, according to the Vatican.
The symbolism of these gestures will certainly move quickly beyond the Catholic church.
While media outlets were not allowed inside the detention facility, Vatican Radio offered a live audio feed and the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, briefed reporters afterward. He said the ritual was "extremely moving" because kneeling on both knees was very demanding for a 76-year-old pope.
The pope thanked everyone for their warm welcome and said he was happy to be with them. In words of encouragement, he told the young people "Press on! Don't let yourselves be robbed of hope. Understood?"
The pope greeted the residents with hugs and gave each of the young detainees a large chocolate egg and a traditional Italian Easter cake shaped like a dove.
The detainees, who range in age from 14 to 21, then gave the pope a wooden crucifix and kneeler they made in the detention center's woodshop
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Francis washes, kisses feet of two women, two muslims
Thomas C. Fox
National Catholic Reporter
March 28, 2013
Pope Francis today kneeled before 12 juvenile detainees in a Rome detention center during a Holy Thursday ceremony. He washed, dried and kissed their feet. Two in the group were women, two were Muslims, according to the Vatican.
The symbolism of these gestures will certainly move quickly beyond the Catholic church.
While media outlets were not allowed inside the detention facility, Vatican Radio offered a live audio feed and the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, briefed reporters afterward. He said the ritual was "extremely moving" because kneeling on both knees was very demanding for a 76-year-old pope.
The pope thanked everyone for their warm welcome and said he was happy to be with them. In words of encouragement, he told the young people "Press on! Don't let yourselves be robbed of hope. Understood?"
The pope greeted the residents with hugs and gave each of the young detainees a large chocolate egg and a traditional Italian Easter cake shaped like a dove.
The detainees, who range in age from 14 to 21, then gave the pope a wooden crucifix and kneeler they made in the detention center's woodshop
Pope Francis today kneeled before 12 juvenile detainees in a Rome detention center during a Holy Thursday ceremony. He washed, dried and kissed their feet. Two in the group were women, two were Muslims, according to the Vatican.
The symbolism of these gestures will certainly move quickly beyond the Catholic church.
While media outlets were not allowed inside the detention facility, Vatican Radio offered a live audio feed and the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, briefed reporters afterward. He said the ritual was "extremely moving" because kneeling on both knees was very demanding for a 76-year-old pope.
The pope thanked everyone for their warm welcome and said he was happy to be with them. In words of encouragement, he told the young people "Press on! Don't let yourselves be robbed of hope. Understood?"
The pope greeted the residents with hugs and gave each of the young detainees a large chocolate egg and a traditional Italian Easter cake shaped like a dove.
The detainees, who range in age from 14 to 21, then gave the pope a wooden crucifix and kneeler they made in the detention center's woodshop
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The strongly negative disrespectful response of Catholic right-wingers to Pope Francis washing the feet of women is reminiscent of the pharisees of Jesus' time. For example see Rorate Caeli for comments from lots of very angry folks. From these people who think they are more Catholic than the pope:"The public face of our Faith has been disfigured to such an extent that the New Theologians and the Modernists and the Media and the Masons and The Jews could not be happier."
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