Pontiff to wash feet of 12 refugees on Holy Thursday

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March 23, 2016 2:42 PM

The Vatican has reported that Pope Francis will wash the feet of 12 young Asylum Seekers to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at a Center for Asylum Seekers in Castelnuovo di Porto.

Pope Francis holding a cross

The Vatican has reported that Pope Francis will wash the feet of 12 young Asylum Seekers to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass at a Center for Asylum Seekers in Castelnuovo di Porto.

The reports say, Francis will greet many refugees, most of which are not Christians.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization said the pontiff’s gesture was a sign of humble service and concern for the plight of the migrants.

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“We can understand the symbolic value intended by Pope Francis’ visit to the CARA in Castelnuovo di Porto and his bending down to wash the feet of refugees.

“His actions mean to tell us that it is important to pay due attention to the weakest in this historic moment; that we are all called to restore their dignity without resorting to subterfuge. We are urged to look forward to Easter with the eyes of those who make of their faith a life lived in service to those whose faces bear signs of suffering and violence.

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“He wants to tell us that it is necessary to pay due attention to the most vulnerable of this historic moment.

“Many of these young people are not Catholic, washing the feet of refugees, Pope Francis calls for respect for all of them,” Archbishop Fisichella said

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