Pope Francis kisses and washes feet of Prisoners : Pictures

Pope Francis kisses and washes feet of young offenders at Rome prison after mass inside St Peter's Basilica begins four days of Easter ceremony in spectacular style

• Pope Francis made remarkable gesture to demonstrate the church's commitment to marginalised in society
• Earlier conducted his first Holy Thursday service as Roman Catholic leader
• Francis' homily was the latest sign of his determination that the Church should be closer to the poor
• He was speaking to 1,600 priests from Rome who attended the Mass
• It kick-starts four days of hectic activities leading up to Easter this Sunday

 More Pictures after the cut

Pope Francis kisses and washes feet of young offenders at Rome prison after mass inside St Peter's Basilica begins four days of Easter ceremony in spectacular style

• Pope Francis made remarkable gesture to demonstrate the church's commitment to marginalised in society
• Earlier conducted his first Holy Thursday service as Roman Catholic leader
• Francis' homily was the latest sign of his determination that the Church should be closer to the poor
• He was speaking to 1,600 priests from Rome who attended the Mass
• It kick-starts four days of hectic activities leading up to Easter this Sunday