Pope Leo XIV Washes Feet of 12 Priests in Holy Thursday Ritual

In Brief

The restoration of this traditional rite signals a shift from recent inclusive practices and highlights evolving Church leadership priorities.

Key Facts

• Pope Leo XIV washed the feet of 12 priests during the Holy Thursday ceremony.
• He used the occasion to urge Catholics to stand with the oppressed.
• The ritual marks a return to the tradition of washing priests’ feet, differing from Pope Francis’s practice.
• The ceremony took place as part of Pope Leo XIV’s first Easter services.
• Pope Francis previously included prisoners and refugees in the foot-washing rite.

What Happened

Pope Leo XIV performed the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual by washing the feet of 12 priests, restoring a tradition that had been changed by his predecessor.

Why It Matters

This move reflects a shift in papal emphasis, signaling a return to traditional practices and potentially influencing the Church’s approach to ritual and inclusion.

What's Next

Observers will watch for further indications of Pope Leo XIV’s approach to Church traditions and whether additional changes to established rites or policies will follow.