Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome, March 28, 2013.
Pope Francis has washed and kissed the feet of two young women, along with 10 males, in a Holy Thursday ceremony at a juvenile detention center in Rome.
The Roman Catholic pope's Holy Thursday ritual has been traditionally limited to men, representing the 12 apostles whose feet the Bible says Jesus washed at the Last Supper before his crucifixion.
Taking the ceremony to a youth prison is also a papal first.
Previous popes have carried out the feet washing ritual at Rome's St. John Lateran basilica.
Pope Francis was installed two weeks ago. The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina took the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, a humble saint who is associated with helping the poor.
Christians Observe Good Friday
1/15Catholic worshippers celebrate Good Friday inside the Our Lady of Aparecida Basilica in Aparecida do Norte, Sao Paulo, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
2/15People attend the 18th annual 'Way of the Cross Over the Brooklyn Bridge Ceremony' in New York, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
3/15A worker lights a cross before Pope Francis leads a Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession during Good Friday celebrations in front of the Colosseum in Rome, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
4/15Pope Francis attends the Celebration of the Lord's Passion in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
5/15Penitents of the Jesus Yacente brotherhood take part in a Holy Week procession in Zamora, northern Spain, March 28, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
6/15David Carnell, center, plays the part of Jesus Christ during a "Journey to the Cross" procession while celebrating Good Friday in Sydney, Australia, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
7/15Tourists watch as penitents, bloodied after self-flagellation, walk during a Good Friday crucifixion re-enactment in San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga province, Philippines, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
8/15Ruben Enaje, who was portrayed as Jesus Christ 27 times, as a nail is removed from his hand after being crucified during Good Friday rituals in San Pedro Cutud, Philippines, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
9/15An Indian Christian prays at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Good Friday in Hyderabad, India, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
10/15An Indonesian Christian devotee carries a bamboo cross as he walks with others during a Good Friday procession in Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
11/15Catholics carry a cross at a street parade during a special Good Friday mass in Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 29, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
12/15Members of the Catholic clergy hold candles as they take part in a procession at the Washing of the Feet ceremony during Holy Week in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, March 28, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
13/15People take photos of a Jesus Christ statue at the end of a Holy Week mass at the Church of Divine Mercy in Panama City, Panama, March 28, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
14/15An indigenous woman walks at Canaan fair, which is part of Holy Week events in Ayacucho, Peru, March 28, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
15/15Catholics hold candles during the Way of the Cross re-enactment in a Holy Week procession, Luque, Paraguay, March 27, 2013.
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday with processions and prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.
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