Pope Francis is changing Church law to fit in with his rule-breaking celebration of the Easter Week ritual of the washing of the feet.
Previously the Vatican rules for the Holy Thursday ritual only allowed men to participate in the rite.
Traditional Popes have performed the ritual on 12 Christian men to represent the 12 disciples of Jesus.
However, after his election, Pope Francis performed the process on both men and women, Christian and Muslim, at a prison.
The Vatican has now published a decree announcing that the ritual can be performed on anyone "chosen from among the people of God" and it makes no reference to gender or religion.
News you can believe in. Stand with Premier Christian News today.
Your gift today ensures that Premier Christian News can press forward in strength, reaching more people with biblical truth and shaping the future of Christian thought. It’s more than just a donation—it’s an investment in renewed minds and transformed lives.
Without continued support, the ability to create and distribute resources that strengthen faith and equip the church will be compromised. But with your help, we can grow deeper, stand firmer, and shine brighter in the culture.
Your support today is critical.
Support Us
Article by Hannah Tooley
Hannah Tooley is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
