VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI today sent ceremonial oils blessed on Holy Thursday to Italy’s devastated quake zone in a sign of solidarity with the survivors.
Benedict led a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica that included the traditional blessing of holy oils, with some to be sent to the mountainous Abruzzo region. Benedict plans to tour the area of Italy’s worst quake in three decades after the Easter holiday.
Benedict exchanged his gold-colored robes for a long-white apron to perform a foot-washing ceremony in St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome.
Money collected from the pilgrims and tourists who packed the basilica will be sent to help the small Catholic community in Gaza.
During his homily, Benedict urged people to recognize “our brothers and sisters who need our help, who are awaiting our word and our action.”
The foot-washing ceremony symbolizes humility and commemorates Jesus’ last supper with his 12 apostles on the evening before his Good Friday crucifixion.
Bending over before each of the priests, who were seated in a row, Benedict poured water from a golden pitcher over one bare foot of each man, with the drops being caught in a golden basin. Then the pope dried the feet with a simple white cloth.
In the past, the Holy See has sent aid to Gaza to help relief efforts being carried out by nuns from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and other Catholic groups.
Benedict will make a pastoral pilgrimage next month that will take him to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.
On Friday evening, Benedict will preside over the candlelit Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum in Rome.
The pope, who turns 82 next week, will celebrate Easter vigil Mass in the basilica Saturday night. On Sunday, faithful are expected to flock to St. Peter’s Square for an outdoor Mass to mark Easter, the Church’s most important day.
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