This afternoon, shortly before 15.00, Pope Francis visited Regina Coeli prison. He was received by the Director of the prison, Claudia Clementi, and the staff, and proceeded to the central rotunda, where he met with approximately seventy inmates, of various nationalities, who regularly participate in the activities and catechesis organized by the chaplains of the Institute.

After a brief greeting from the Director, who expressed the gratitude of the entire community for the visit, Pope Francis expressed his wish to be present among the inmates: “Every year I like to do what Jesus did on Holy Thursday, the washing of the feet, in prison”. And he added, “This year I cannot do it, but I can and want to be near you. I pray for you and your families”.

At the end of a moment of prayer, the Pope greeted each of the inmates individually in the rotunda.

Finally, he spoke to those present again, to recite the Lord’s Prayer with them and to impart his blessing to them.

The visit lasted approximately thirty minutes.