"Pope Francis Challenges Tradition: Washing the Feet of Women and Issuing Orders to Priests"

Pope Francis broke with tradition by washing the feet of 12 women at a prison in Rome during a ceremony emphasizing humility, marking the first time a pope has washed the feet of women exclusively during the annual ritual. This act, which takes place on the Thursday before Easter, seeks to imitate Jesus Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet the night before he died. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has been experiencing health and mobility difficulties, led the ceremony from his wheelchair, washing the feet of each woman, many of whom were in tears.