The Pontiff washed and kissed the feet of men and women at the Castelnuovo di Porto refugees centre
(
AP
)
Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of Muslim, Christian and Hindu refugees as a 'gesture of brotherhood'.
The Pope denounced Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Brussels as a “gesture of war” during an Easter week mass with asylum-seekers at a shelter outside Rome yesterday.
The Holy Thursday rite re-enacts the foot-washing ritual Jesus performed on his apostles before being crucified, and is meant as a gesture of service.
The Pontiff contrasted that gesture with the “gesture of destruction” carried out by the Brussels attackers, saying they wanted to destroy the brotherhood of humanity represented by the migrants.
“We have different cultures and religions, but we are brothers and we want to live in peace,” he said.
Several of the migrants wept as Francis knelt before them, poured holy water on their feet, wiped them clean and kissed them.
Male and female refugees took part in the ceremony, including Catholics from Nigeria, three Muslims from Mali, Syria and Pakistan, and a Hindu man from India.
The Vatican’s new norms have said that anyone from the “people of God” could be chosen to participate in the ritual.
“All of us, together: Muslims, Hindi, Catholics, Copts, Evangelicals. But brothers, children of the same God,” the Pope added.
In pictures: Pope Francis' popularity
Show all 10
In pictures: Pope Francis' popularity
1/10 web-pope-gettyyy.jpg
Pope Francis has issued a some cost-cutting reforms within the Vatican
Getty Images
2/10 Popefrancisselfie.jpg
Pope Francis has his picture taken inside St. Peter's Basilica with youths from the Italian Diocese of Piacenza and Bobbio who came to Rome for a pilgrimage, at the Vatican
AP
3/10 AN31491615epa03937969-Pope-.jpg
Pope Francis caresses a sick person in Saint Peter's Square
EPA
4/10 v2-Pope-Rio-AP.jpg
Pope Francis waves from his popemobile as he makes his way into central Rio de Janeiro
AP
5/10 Pope-Francis3-AFPgt.jpg
Pope Francis delivers a speech to Catholic faithful at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
AFP/Getty Images
6/10 v2-pope-francis-AP.jpg
Pope Francis receives a warm welcome as he visits the Varginha slum
A{
7/10 pope francis getty.jpg
Pope Francis kisses a child as he arrives in the island of Lampedusa
Getty Images
8/10 pope2.jpg
Pope Francis welcomes the Archbishop of Canterbury
Reuters
9/10 World060720131.jpg
A poster of Pope Francis is seen in Lampedusa. The Pope visited Italy to lay a wreath in the sea for migrants who have lost their lives while trying to reach Europe from Africa
10/10 9-October-2013-World-2.jpg
Pope Francis waves as he arrives to leads the weekly audience at Saint Peter's square in Vatican
Reuters
1/10 web-pope-gettyyy.jpg
Pope Francis has issued a some cost-cutting reforms within the Vatican
Getty Images
2/10 Popefrancisselfie.jpg
Pope Francis has his picture taken inside St. Peter's Basilica with youths from the Italian Diocese of Piacenza and Bobbio who came to Rome for a pilgrimage, at the Vatican
AP
3/10 AN31491615epa03937969-Pope-.jpg
Pope Francis caresses a sick person in Saint Peter's Square
EPA
4/10 v2-Pope-Rio-AP.jpg
Pope Francis waves from his popemobile as he makes his way into central Rio de Janeiro
AP
5/10 Pope-Francis3-AFPgt.jpg
Pope Francis delivers a speech to Catholic faithful at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
AFP/Getty Images
6/10 v2-pope-francis-AP.jpg
Pope Francis receives a warm welcome as he visits the Varginha slum
A{
7/10 pope francis getty.jpg
Pope Francis kisses a child as he arrives in the island of Lampedusa
Getty Images
8/10 pope2.jpg
Pope Francis welcomes the Archbishop of Canterbury
Reuters
9/10 World060720131.jpg
A poster of Pope Francis is seen in Lampedusa. The Pope visited Italy to lay a wreath in the sea for migrants who have lost their lives while trying to reach Europe from Africa
10/10 9-October-2013-World-2.jpg
Pope Francis waves as he arrives to leads the weekly audience at Saint Peter's square in Vatican
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