By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
ACI Prensa Staff, Apr 24, 2025 / 10:00 am
Prisoners have always held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart, and he has consistently shown his love for them throughout his pontificate.
He made a point to visit prisoners in various countries he traveled to and, during the Jubilee of Hope, he personally opened a Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison for the first time in history.
From his first Holy Week after becoming pontiff in 2013, he made it a tradition to wash the prisoners’ feet, a gesture he continued every year until his final Holy Thursday, just four days before his passing.
On April 17, despite his declining health, the Pope visited inmates at the Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) prison near the Vatican, showcasing his unwavering commitment to defending human dignity and his compassion for the marginalized.
