The pontiff actually did this today, as he led the Celebration of the Lord's Passion in Saint Peter's Basilica.
Presiding over his first Easter week as pope, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires lay prostrate, praying to God before the famous church's alter atop a rug with his arms resting on a pillow.
He visited a prison yesterday to wash and kiss the feet of convicted criminals.
He held a major Easter Week service at Casal del Marmo young offenders’ prison in Rome, where he told the inmates that he was happy to be with them, that they shouldn't give up hope.
In a first for a Pope, he also attended to the feet of two woman prisoners. Several of the 12 were also Muslim and he has carried out similar ceremonies in Argentinian jails.
Pope Francis already has officials on the back foot with his lack of regard for protocol as he has garnered attention for his humility and willingness to break from tradition.
Recall I told you he had insisted he will not live in the lavish Papal apartment, a 12-room property on the top floor of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.
On seeing the apartment, Pope Francis had reporedly said: ‘But there is room for 300 people in here.’
So, instead, he chose a modest two-bedroom hotel-style residence at the Domus Santa Marta building.
Pope Francis wants to lead the church in a direction that prioritises care for the most disadvantaged in society.
No comments:
Post a Comment