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Good Friday celebrated around the world

Statue bearers strain as they prepare to lift the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the start of a Good Friday procession in Valletta, Malta
Statue bearers strain as they prepare to lift the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the start of a Good Friday procession in Valletta, Malta Credit: Reuters
Penitents take part in a Good Friday procession in Civitavecchia, north of Rome
Penitents take part in a Good Friday procession in Civitavecchia, north of Rome Credit: Reuters
An actor portraying Jesus Christ takes part in a "Via Crucis" (Way of the Cross) at Plateau Dokui, an area of Abidjan
An actor portraying Jesus Christ takes part in a "Via Crucis" (Way of the Cross) at Plateau Dokui, an area of Abidjan Credit: Reuters
Pope Francis leads the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in front of huge crowds at the Colosseum in Rome
Pope Francis leads the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in front of huge crowds at the Colosseum in Rome Credit: Reuters

Pope in Good Friday Lord's Passion at St Peter's

Pope Francis lies prostrate before the alter in St Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis lies prostrate before the alter in St Peter's Basilica Credit: RTV

Pope Francis Good Friday Lord's Passion at St Peter's and at the Colosseum ahead of the 'Way of the Cross' this evening.

Pope Francis lies prostrate before the alter in St Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis lies prostrate before the alter in St Peter's Basilica Credit: RTV
Pope Francis lies prostrate before the alter in St Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis lies prostrate before the alter in St Peter's Basilica Credit: RTV

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Pope Francis makes decisive break with Vatican Easter tradition

Pope Francis has given yet another sign of how different his papacy is going to be. Not for him the tradition and splendour of St Peter's for the Washing of The Feet ceremony.

Instead he went to a Detention Centre in Rome and washed the feet of twelve young inmates, as Juliet Bremner reports they included two women, one of whom was a Muslim:

More: Pope breaks with tradition as he washes feet of young inmates

Pope breaks with tradition as he washes feet of young inmates

Pope Francis has broken with tradition in an Easter ritual as he washed and kissed the feet of a dozen inmates at a juvenile detention centre on Holy Thursday. Previous Pope's have maintained the traditional foot washing within the Vatican with priests.

Two of the 12 were young women, an even more remarkable choice given that the rite re-enacts Jesus' washing of the feet of his male disciples, the inclusion of women has been banned by some dioceses.

Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome
Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome Credit: Reuters

Orthodox and Muslim detainees were also included in the twelve according to news reports.

"This is a symbol, it is a sign - washing your feet means I am at your service," Francis told the youngsters.

"Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches us. This is what I do. And I do it with my heart. I do this with my heart because it is my duty, as a priest and bishop I must be at your service."

Rome airport evacuated after filling with smoke

Rome's Fiumicino airport was evacuated this morning after filling with smoke from what is thought to have been a small electrical fire. The fire is not serious and the terminal building has now reopened.

One woman was carried out of the airport in a stretcher and taken to hospital.

Part of the airport filled with smoke
Part of the airport filled with smoke Credit: Twitter/@widianemoussa

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