The washing of feet was a radical act in Jesus’ time. It is no less radical in the modern era, with Pope Francis’ decision to break with the long-standing papal tradition of washing only priests’ feet ...

Pope Francis was in the middle of a busy week Thursday, in the days leading up to Easter and the ceremonies and traditions associated with the holiday. Holy, or Maundy, Thursday, the Thursday before ...

The Gospel of John situates the story slightly earlier that the Synoptics do: “Now before the festival of the Passover,” he begins. At the Last Supper, he tells us, Jesus “knew that his hour had come.

Washing the feet of guests was a Middle Eastern tradition that went back centuries before the time of Christ. Travel was often done by foot over dry and dusty roads.Weary travelers were greeted with a ...