{"id":31174,"date":"2025-04-17T13:22:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T17:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/queonnda.com\/holy-thursday-pope-francis-visits-a-prison-in-rome\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T13:26:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T17:26:35","slug":"holy-thursday-pope-francis-visits-a-prison-in-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/queonnda.com\/en\/holy-thursday-pope-francis-visits-a-prison-in-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Holy Thursday: Pope Francis visits a prison in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a gesture of profound humility and pastoral commitment, Pope Francis, 88 years old, made a brief but significant visit to the Roman prison of Regina Coeli, in the traditional framework of Holy Thursday, despite the fact that he is still convalescing from respiratory problems.<\/p>\n

The pontiff, who was recently discharged after 38 days in Gemelli Hospital for bilateral pneumonia, arrived at the prison shortly before 3:00 p.m. (local time), in a vehicle that brought him directly from the Vatican. The visit was not officially announced by the Vatican in advance, as it depended on his state of health at the time.<\/p>\n

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A commitment that goes beyond health<\/h2>\n
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Pope Francis visits prison on Holy Thursday \/ PHOTO: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although his mobility is reduced and he uses a wheelchair, the Pope insisted on maintaining this tradition that he began in 2013, shortly after assuming the papacy.<\/p>\n

On this occasion, however, he was unable to perform the traditional rite of foot washing, a gesture that commemorates Jesus’ humility during the Last Supper, but he did take time to meet with a group of approximately 70 inmates.<\/p>\n

He was received by the director of the penitentiary center, Claudia Clementi, as well as by prison officials and staff.<\/p>\n

Sign of improvement?<\/h2>\n
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Pope Francis visits prison on Holy Thursday \/ PHOTO: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to reports from the official Vatican News<\/a>, Francis did not use during the visit the nasal cannulas through which he usually receives oxygen, which was interpreted as a sign of improvement in his physical condition.<\/p>\n

The Pope’s stay in jail was brief, about 20 minutes in total.<\/p>\n

At 17:25 (local time), his vehicle left the prison, which is located in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere, very close to the Vatican.<\/p>\n

Despite its brevity, the gesture was deeply symbolic, as it reaffirms his closeness to people deprived of liberty and his constant call not to forget the marginalized.<\/p>\n

An echoing message to the Hispanic community<\/h2>\n
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Pope Francis made his annual visit to the Regina Coeli prison in Rome and met for almost half an hour with about 70 inmates. Due to his health condition, the pontiff was unable to wash their feet this Holy Thursday.<\/p>\n

“Every time I walk into one of these places, I ask myself:… pic.twitter.com\/ijMHhaQgsw<\/a><\/p>\n

– NM\u00e1s (@nmas) April 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n