Pope Francis celebrated this Holy Thursday the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in a prison in Italy. The Holy Father reminded the faithful not to tire of asking Jesus for forgiveness, because He forgives everything and waits until the end.
The Press Office reported that this April 14, before 3:00 p.m., the Holy Father went to Civitavecchia (Italy), to celebrate the Mass in Coena Domini in the New Penitentiary Complex with the people detained there.
The Pope arrived at this place at approximately 4:00 p.m. and went to the chapel where he presided over the Mass. In addition to the prisoners, some representatives of the penitentiary agents and the Casa Circondariale, as well as local authorities and the penitentiary center were present.
As reported by the Vatican, in his spontaneous homily the Pope reflected on the sign of washing the feet of the apostles and said that it was a “strange thing” what Jesus did, because “at that time the feet were washed by slaves The house entrance”.
However, Christ went further “with a gesture that also touches the heart, washes the feet of the traitor, the one who sells him. This is Jesus and he teaches us this, simply: between you, you must wash your feet. It is the symbol, you must serve each other, one serves the other without interest”.
The Pope also stressed that Jesus “calls the traitor ‘friend’ and also waits for him, until the end: he forgives everything. I would like to put this today in the hearts of all of us, also in mine: God forgives everything and God always forgives! It is we who get tired of asking for forgiveness.”
Pope Francis told the faithful that everyone keeps something in their heart for a long time, however, he encouraged them: “But ask Jesus for forgiveness.” “He just wants our confidence to ask for forgiveness,” said the Holy Father, and he proposed this “beautiful prayer for today: ‘But, Lord, forgive me. I will seek to serve others, but You serve me with your forgiveness.
“This is a sign, also a sign of love for these brothers and sisters and for all of you, a sign that means: ‘I do not judge anyone. I seek to serve everyone. There is One who judges, but he is a somewhat strange Judge, the Lord: he judges and forgives”. The Pontiff concluded his homily by exhorting us to continue with “the desire to serve and forgive.”
At the end of the Mass, the prison administration thanked the Pope and among the gifts he gave him were agricultural products that the prisoners grow in the garden. Then Francisco entered a room where he was able to greet and talk briefly with about fifty people who represented the detainees and prison officers.