feet

April 18, 2019

South Sudan's Christian leaders say papal kiss is message of Easter

Pope Francis kisses the feet of South Sudan Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, left, and South Sudan President Salva Kiir, right, April 11, 2019, at the conclusion of a two-day retreat at the Vatican for African nation's political leaders. The pope begged the leaders to give peace a chance.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Pope Francis' surprise kiss on the feet of South Sudanese political leaders is the message of Easter, the country's Christian leaders said in a joint Easter message.

Published in Faith

January 21, 2016

Foot-washing ritual not limited to men, Vatican says in new decree

Pope Francis washes the foot of an inmate during the Holy Thursday Mass at Casal del Marmo prison for minors in Rome in this March 28, 2013, file photo. Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree Jan. 21 specifying that the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual can include women.

VATICAN CITY - Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree specifying that the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual can include "all members of the people of God," including women -- a practice already observed by the Pope and many priests around the world.

Published in Vatican

April 2, 2015

Pope asks prisoners to pray that Christ make him a better servant

Pope Francis kisses the foot of a female inmate at Rome's Rebibbia prison April 2.

VATICAN CITY - In a moving ceremony that recalled how Jesus loved the world so deeply that He lowered Himself to serve and died for everyone's sins, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prison inmates, plus a small toddler who lives with his incarcerated mother.

Published in Vatican

October 18, 2014