Pope Francis told inmates at a Rome
prison where he washed inmates' feet in the traditional Holy
Thursday Last Supper rite in 2018 that this time he could not
wash their feet as he recovers from life-threatening pneumonia
but he was close to them.
Francis, during his visit to the Regina Coeli prison, expressed
his desire to be present among the inmates.
"I like to do every year what Jesus did on Holy Thursday, the
washing of feet, in prison", he told the 70 or so prisoners who
met him..
And he added: "This year I cannot do it, but I can and want to
be close to you. I pray for you and your families".
At the end of a moment of prayer, the pope greeted each of the
inmates individually in the Rotonda.
Finally, he addressed those present again to say the Our Father
together and impart his blessing.
The visit lasted about 30 minutes.
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