Pope Leo XIV presides over the Foot Wash under a message of humility

Published at: 02/04/2026 05:06 PM

This April 2, Pope Leo XIV led the ritual of washing feet during the In Coena Domini mass, celebrated in the Basilica of St. John in the Lateran. The Pontiff revived the symbolic gesture of Jesus with his disciples, stressing the importance of spirituality, mercy and service as fundamental pillars for transforming coexistence on Earth.

During the Maundy Thursday ceremony, the leader of the Catholic Church recalled that this act is not just a traditional rite, but a mandate to surrender to others. Representing the humility of Jesus of Nazareth, the Pope urged the faithful to replicate this attitude of service in their daily lives, turning teaching into a practical tool of fraternal love.

The Pontiff explained that washing the feet is a gesture that summarizes the essence of divinity, describing it as a task that should serve as “food for our life”. For the Pope, the use of water and the basin represents much more than a moral model: it is the giving of a way of life based on the memory of the Word made flesh.

Finally, Leo XIV called for redefining the concept of success, pointing out that God's true omnipotence lies in gratitude and simplicity. “We want a God of success and not of passion,” the Holy Father warned, stressing that divine greatness is manifested precisely in humble and selfless service to others.

Mazo News Team