April 2, 2026, 9:52 p.mApril 2, 2026, 9:52 p.m
The celebrations for this year’s Easter have begun under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV for the first time. In the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the diocese of Rome, the head of the Catholic Church washed the feet of twelve priests as a sign of humility at a mass commemorating the last supper of Jesus Christ. Finally he kissed the feet too.
The Pope kissed the feet of the priests.Image: keystone
Leo’s predecessor Francis, who died on Easter Monday last year at the age of 88, went to live with prisoners in a Roman prison. In contrast to Francis, Pope Leo is taking up various traditions of the Catholic Church.
On Sunday for the first time with Leo at Easter Urbi et Orbi
The first American to head the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics will also personally carry a large cross on Friday on a Stations of the Cross near the Colosseum. On Sunday he will give the traditional blessing Urbi et Orbi (The City and the World) for the first time at Easter in front of tens of thousands.
According to tradition, Jesus Christ celebrated the Last Supper with his twelve apostles on Maundy Thursday. As a sign of charity and service, he washed the feet of his disciples – an act that is also reenacted today by priests and bishops. On Good Friday, Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified. The Way of the Cross traces the last stages of his ordeal. His resurrection is celebrated at Easter. (hkl/sda/dpa)