Pope Leo Washes Priests' Feet

0:00On April 2nd, Pope Leo XIV brought back a classic Holy Thursday tradition by washing the feet of twelve priests at St. John Lateran, Basilica. He poured water from a golden pitcher, dried their feet with a white towel, and kissed them, calling it a humble act that shows God's real power. Through service, this crew included eleven priests he ordained last year, plus the director of Rome's main seminary. In his homily, Leo stressed how this gesture cleans up our wrong ideas about God and people, pushing back against thinking power, comes from dominating. Others, unlike his predecessor, Pope Francis, who shook things up starting in 2013 by including women, lay folks, and even non-Christians in prisons. Or detention centers, Leo kept it to priests only, honoring their role. Francis had called out what he saw as a clerical culture, putting priests above everyone else, making it to abuse scandals. Leo's move feels like a nod to boosting clergy morale and getting the faithful to support

1:01them better. Meanwhile, the Vatican just dropped prayer intentions asking folks to pray for priests as beloved disciples, not just functionaries, listen without, judging, thank them without expecting perfection, and walk with them in prayer. It's a fresh vibe on service heading into Easter.