After Francis's inclusive tradition, Pope Leo XIV revives the Holy Thursday foot-washing of priests

TL;DR

Pope Leo Returns to Tradition, Washing Priests’ Feet Pope Leo XIV kisses the foot of a clergyman after washing it as he celebrates the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Basilica of St. John Lateran at Vatican April 2, 2026. (OSV News/Reuters/Vincenzo Livieri) Pope Leo XIV's first Holy Thursday celebration looked strikingly similar to that of popes from the pre-Francis era, departing from Pope Francis' practice of visiting a prison for the washing of feet and instead returning the rite to the cathedral of Rome.