Pope Francis made a heartfelt visit to a prison in Rome on Thursday, marking one of his first public appearances since spending over a month in the hospital.
The 88-year-old pontiff traveled from the Vatican to the Regina Coeli prison, where he met with about 70 inmates as part of the Catholic Church’s Holy Thursday traditions. Though he wasn’t able to lead the usual foot-washing ceremony, he shared kind words and individual time with each prisoner.
“Every year, I like to do what Jesus did on Holy Thursday, the washing of the feet, in a prison,” Pope Francis told them. “This year I cannot do it, but I wanted to be close to you. I pray for you and all your families.”
This isn’t the first time Francis has visited this prison—he also came in 2018 to celebrate the Lord’s Supper Mass there.
His return this year was especially meaningful, as it follows his recovery from bilateral pneumonia, which had kept him hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for over five weeks.
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The Vatican confirmed that due to his health, Pope Francis will not lead this year’s Easter weekend masses. Instead, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, and Cardinal Angelo Comastri will lead the Easter Sunday Mass.
Despite stepping back from some duties, Pope Francis remains active in spirit. On Wednesday, he met with the Gemelli hospital medical staff at the Vatican to personally thank them for their care. Appearing in a wheelchair, he praised their work with warmth and humor.
“When women are in charge, things work,” he said with a smile. “Thank you for your service. Keep going like this.”
His visit to the prison and his ongoing efforts show that even with health challenges, Francis remains deeply committed to his mission of compassion, humility, and connection.
