As Europe continues to grapple with the migrant crisis, Pope Francis chose a refugee shelter near Rome to celebrate the traditional foot-washing ceremony ahead of Easter.
Holy Thursday — also known as Maundy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries — is the Christian holy day on the Thursday before Easter. Holy Thursday commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels. Holy Thursday is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.
Only a small portion of the 892 asylum-seekers living at the refugee shelter attended, and many of the seats for the event were empty. At the end of the Mass, Francis greeted each refugee.
Some praised the Pope for his actions on Holy Thursday as a true example of Christian love, while others criticized the Pope — arguing that many of the refugees are Muslims who arrived from Middle East lands where Christians are being slaughtered.
Pope Francis homily at Holy Thursday Mass: gestures of fraternity defeats hatred and greed. https://t.co/fMoieS9CUk pic.twitter.com/n5k6RTcfIS
— America Magazine (@americamag) March 25, 2016
The moving moment when Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of refugees https://t.co/wdHkJPCdTa pic.twitter.com/Kg1QQ7BVRW
— Mashable (@mashable) March 25, 2016
Pope Francis washed and kissed refugees' feet as part of a traditional Easter ceremony. https://t.co/OnNxrfav7Z pic.twitter.com/aqKuux6nOK
— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 25, 2016
Pope Francis condemns Brussels attackers during Holy Thursday ceremony https://t.co/iGVq7i3LcY pic.twitter.com/5bikJIagoo
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) March 24, 2016
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