Pope intends to imprison himself prior to Easter celebrations
Pope Francis Delegates Services During Holy Week, Continues Tradition of Pastoral Care
In the heart of the Vatican, the height of Easter celebrations begins on Maundy Thursday. This year, Pope Francis has delegated his cardinals to lead the services until Easter Sunday.
Cardinal Domenico Calcagno will take the helm on Maundy Thursday, leading the Mass at 9:30 AM in St. Peter's Basilica. Meanwhile, the evening Mass commemorating the Last Supper will be celebrated by the Pope's general vicar for the Vatican state, Mauro Gambetti.
While it is not confirmed that Pope Francis will perform the ritual foot-washing of inmates during a planned visit to a Roman prison on Maundy Thursday in 2023, his history of pastoral concern for prisoners suggests otherwise. Pope Francis has a long-standing tradition of washing the feet of prisoners during Holy Thursday ceremonies, symbolizing humility and service.
In recent years, the Pope has shown a consistent focus on detainees, as evidenced by his opening of a Holy Door in a Roman prison in late December 2024. Earlier years, including after his election, also saw him washing the feet of prisoners as part of Holy Thursday ceremonies.
Given this pattern, it is very plausible that Pope Francis performed the foot-washing ritual on Maundy Thursday 2023 in prison, although specific documentation for that exact date and visit is not found in the search results provided. For authoritative confirmation, one might consult Vatican archives or official Vatican News releases from April 2023.
These celebrations mark the beginning of the commemoration of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, culminating in the Easter Sunday resurrection.
In the spirit of his pastoral care and long-standing tradition, Pope Francis might have incorporated a science-based health-and-wellness approach in his prison visits for the foot-washing ritual, emphasizing the healing and transformative power of service. During the Holy Week services, Cardinal Domenico Calcagno or Mauro Gambetti might have highlighted recent scientific research on the benefits of compassion and empathy, aligning it with the Christian values of love and service.
