Comforting the Afflicted

Today Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of twelve prisoners, two of them women and two of them Muslims. He then gave each one an Easter egg.

This is contrary to the canonical but optional Holy Thursday mandatus liturgy of washing the feet of twelve men.

So much the worse for canon law. There's never a bad time or way to comfort the afflicted. I'm sure St. Francis would approve, let alone the man who started the Christian foot-washing tradition. Charity is not limited by the liturgical calendar.

And the Easter eggs were a joyful touch.