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Pope Francis visited a Roman jail and washed and kissed the feet of a dozen youthful prisoners, including women, Muslims, and migrants from North Africa. Previous popes would carry out the foot-washing ritual on Holy Thursday in Rome’s grand St. John Lateran basilica.

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Pope Francis kisses the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013. Two young women were among 12 people whose feet Pope Francis washed and kissed at a traditional ceremony in a Roman youth prison on Holy Thursday, the first time a pontiff has included females in the rite.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013. Two young women were among 12 people whose feet Pope Francis washed and kissed at a traditional ceremony in a Roman youth prison on Holy Thursday, the first time a pontiff has included females in the rite.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis kisses the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis leads a mass in the church of Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013. Two young women were among 12 people whose feet Pope Francis washed and kissed at a traditional ceremony in a Rome youth prison on Holy Thursday, the first time a pontiff has included females in the rite.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis shakes hands with Minister of Justice Paola Severino at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013.OSSERVATORE ROMANO/Reuters

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Pope Francis holds the pastoral staff as he celebrates a Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, March 28, 2013. The Chrism Mass marks the start of the Easter celebrations.Gregorio Borgia/The Associated Press

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