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'We Want To Live In Peace': Pope Francis Washes Feet Of Refugees

In celebration of Holy Thursday, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 refugees.
Posted at 8:02 AM, Mar 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-25 08:02:00-04

Pope Francis commemorated Holy Thursday this year in a very Pope Francis way. The religious leader visited a refugee center in Castelnuovo di Porto, where he washed and kissed the feet of not only Catholic refugees, but Muslim, Orthodox and Hindu refugees as well.

The ceremony is an annual tradition that celebrates Christ's establishment of the priesthood, wherein Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples.

This Holy Thursday celebration is unique, however, because it's the first year that Pope Francis isn't violating Catholic church regulations by allowing women to participate in the ceremony. That's because he changed the rules in January.

Many have pointed to the social significance of Pope Francis including Muslim refugees in the ceremony so soon after the Brussels attacks.

While performing the ceremony, Pope Francis reportedly said, "We have different cultures and religions, but we are brothers, and we want to live in peace."

Following Holy Thursday, members of the Catholic faith observe Good Friday — a day of solemnity meant to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

This video includes clips from the VaticanBBC and Catholic Online.