Holy Thursday: Pope To Wash Feet of Inmates Juvenile Prison

Less than a week after being released from Gemelli Hospital, where he was being treated for bronchitis, Pope Francis will preside over Holy Thursday Mass at Casal del Marmo juvenile prison and wash the feet of inmates.

World leaders and the faithful across the globe grew worried for the pope after he was suddenly hospitalized last Wednesday with breathing difficulties.

He was discharged from the hospital Saturday after a three-night stay, quipping to reporters outside the hospital that he was “still alive!”

After returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis presided over Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. In his homily, he spoke in a soft voice as he emphasized that whatever situation of abandonment we find ourselves in, Jesus is at our side.

During his pontificate — and his bishopric before that — Pope Francis has made it a regular tradition to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass with the imprisoned. 

Casal del Marmo prison was the first place Francis celebrated Holy Thursday Mass as pope just 15 days after being elected the bishop of Rome in 2013.