FOUR DAYS BEFORE his death last year, the late Pope Francis visited Regina Coeli, a prison in Rome.

“Every time I enter these places I ask, ‘Why them and not me?’” he told a crowd of journalists in a weak voice.

Francis individually greeted about 70 detainees, as well as prison management and staff, in the dilapidated jail in the centre of the capital that is one of Italy’s most overcrowded.

Last Holy Thursday, four days before he died, Pope Francis visited Regina Caeli Prison, in what has become one of the most spiritual moments of his Pontificate. He who so loved being close to prisoners on this day 💔 pic.twitter.com/KpVEF2kccE

— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) April 2, 2026

The late pontiff was at the jail for the traditional rite of washing the feet, which commemorates the gesture of Christ for the apostles at the Last Supper.

“Every year I like to do in prison what Jesus did on Holy Thursday, the washing of the feet,” the pope told the inmates.

“This year I can’t do it, but I can and wish to be close to you. I pray for you and for your families.”

Pope Francis visited the Regina Coeli Prison in Rome this afternoon. For 30 minutes, he met with about 70 inmates of various nationalities.

“Every year, I like to do what Jesus did on Holy Thursday, the washing of the feet, in prison. This year I cannot do it, but I can and want… pic.twitter.com/71s8YL3AT2

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 17, 2025

Francis carried out the washing of the feet rite for repentant mafia members behind bars, female prisoners, the homeless, migrants, the disabled, and Muslims and other non-Catholics.

His first such Mass took place in the Casal del Marmo juvenile detention centre in 2013 and in 2024, Francis washed the feet of 12 women at Rebibbia women’s prison.

Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 women prisoners on the first of four event-filled days leading to Easter for the 87-year-old pontiff https://t.co/bOaf3CifrG pic.twitter.com/0wWscbCe7k

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2024

This was the first time a Pope washed the feet of only woman on Holy Thursday.

But this evening, Pope Leo instead washed the feet of 12 priests in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, 11 of whom were ordained by Leo.

Pope Leo washes the feet of 12 priests during the Holy Thursday Mass, imitating Christ washing the Apostles’ feet.

Video: Vatican Media pic.twitter.com/VfESRoquuv

— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) April 2, 2026

The basilica is one of the four major papal basilicas and is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome – the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome.

It’s a return to the customary papal practice and a decision which is welcomed by some.

For example, Rome-based Father Patrick Briscoe told OSV News that as a priest, “it’s something very encouraging because Holy Thursday is the night of the institution of the priesthood”.

“And the washing of the feet by the pope conveys his love for priestly service,” he added.

He also said that a return to the Basilica of St. John Lateran is an example of Leo “understanding his role as the Bishop of Rome”, something Francis was sometimes accused of neglecting.

Meanwhile, Fr Briscoe said the decision by Leo should not be viewed as a critique of Francis.

Leo’s prayer intention for the month of April is for “priests in crisis, when loneliness weighs heavily, when doubt clouds their hearts, and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope”.

Vatican officials said Leo decided to wash the feet of priests to show support for Catholic clergy who often work long hours in more than one parish.

“I think there’s a grave concern about the state of the priesthood today,” Fr Briscoe told OSV News.

“And so Pope Leo’s gesture of support is one to strengthen priestly identity throughout the world.”

However, others have expressed upset that Leo is not continuing with Francis’s custom of washing the feet of migrants and prisoners.

For example, author and economist Anthony Annett said he didn’t like the return to tradition and added: “He should follow the example of Francis (and Jesus) and wash the feet of the outcast.”

I don’t like this. He should follow the example of Francis (and Jesus) and wash the feet of the outcast. https://t.co/PVjlrdXj1n

— Tony Annett (@tonyannett) April 1, 2026