Previous popes would carry out the foot-washing ritual on Holy Thursday in Rome's grand St.

NPR: Pope Washes Feet Of Young Detainees In Ritual

The act of foot-washing is part of the Christian tradition that mirrors Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet.

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Many of them are Gypsies or North African migrants, and the 12 selected for the foot-washing rite included Orthodox and Muslim detainees, news reports said.

NPR: Pope Washes Feet Of Young Detainees In Ritual

The act of foot-washing at the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday is part of the Christian tradition that mirrors Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet.

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One of the most-read traditionalist blogs, "Rorate Caeli, " reacted to the foot-washing ceremony by declaring the death of Benedict's eight-year project to correct what he considered the botched interpretations of the Second Vatican Council's modernizing reforms.

NPR: Pope's Foot-Wash A Final Straw For Traditionalists

Later, the Vatican released a limited video of the ritual, showing Francis washing black feet, white feet, male feet, female feet and even a foot with tattoos.

NPR: Pope Washes Feet Of Young Detainees In Ritual