Pope Francis to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass in Rome prison

Past Holy Thursday Mass in Argentina

On Holy Thursday, 28 March, the Holy Father Francis will celebrate the Chrism Mass (in which clergy renew their vows and Holy Oils are blessed) in St Peter's Basilica in the morning and then, at 5.30pm in the afternoon, will go to to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Casal del Marmo youth detention centre instead of the Basilica of St John Lateran, where it has been traditionally held in the past.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper is characterized by the announcement of the commandment of love and the gesture of washing the feet. In his ministry as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio used to celebrate the Mass in a prison or hospital or hospice for the poor and marginalized. With this celebration at Casal del Marmo, Pope Francis will continue his custom, which is characterized by its humble context.

The other Holy Week celebrations will be held according to tradition, Pope Benedict XVI also visited the Casal del Marmo youth detention centre, on 18 March in 2007, to celebrate Mass in the Chapel of the Merciful Father.

Source: VIS