WEB CHUTNEY

Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 immigrants of different religious and cultural backgrounds during Holy Thursday celebrations, hoping to bring together different religions and cultures in a gesture that comes two days after the Brussels attacks stirred anti-Islam attitudes.

The traditional Easter Week foot-washing ceremony by the pontiff is meant as a Catholic gesture of service.

“All of us together: Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, Copts, Evangelicals … all brothers and children of the same God,” the pontiff said during a Mass before the foot washing ceremony. “We want to live together in peace.”

This year, Francis officially decreed that women would be included in the ceremony from here on out.