On Holy Thursday, Pope washed the feet of women in the female penitentiary in Rome

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Pope Francis visited the female penitentiary of Rebibbia in Rome on Thursday (March 28) to celebrate the Holy Thursday ritual of feet washing.

Pope continued the pontiff’s tradition of visiting marginalized groups on the Thursday before Easter.

Religion News Service reported that it’s the first time a pope has washed the feet of a group made up solely of women.

The penitentiary is among the largest in Europe and houses 360 women and one child.

The pope said Mass outside, in a large tent where the women and employees of the penitentiary gathered. “Always, all of us, face small failures, big failures, it doesn’t matter, everyone has their own story,” he said, “but the Lord always waits for us with open arms, and he never tires of forgiving us.”

The Catholic Mass in Coena Domini and the washing of the feet are inspired by Jesus’ last supper, when he washed the feet of his disciples.