LIVE: Pope Leo celebrates Mass in Rome ahead of Easter

Biblical Foundations of Easter

The Mass features the traditional Triduum readings from Exodus (the Passover lamb), First Corinthians (the institution of the Eucharist), and John's Gospel (the foot washing), establishing the continuity between Jewish liberation and Christian salvation.

Institution of the Sacraments

The liturgy commemorates Christ's establishment of the Eucharist and Holy Orders during the Last Supper, described as the "wedding feast of his love" and the "new and eternal covenant" sealed through Christ's self-offering.

Foot Washing as Theophany

Pope Leo XIV teaches that Jesus washing the disciples' feet reveals God's very "form of life," using the Greek term *hupodigma* to describe it as a visible archetype that displays divine glory through radical service rather than domination.

Rejection of Worldly Greatness

Citing Pope Benedict XV, the homily warns against the temptation to seek a "God of success" instead of the God of the Passion, contrasting worldly power based on fear and victory with true omnipotence manifested in gratuitous, humble service.

Purification of Human and Divine Images

Christ's gesture purifies humanity's distorted image of God from idolatries and humanity's self-image from the pride of domination, revealing that true greatness lies in self-emptying love and service to others.

Condition for Discipleship

The Pope emphasizes that accepting God's mercy—"letting ourselves be washed"—is the necessary prerequisite for having "part" with Christ and serving others authentically, as we cannot serve as the Lord did without first receiving his service.

Solidarity with the Oppressed

Calling believers to kneel alongside "humanity kneeling" due to contemporary brutality and oppression, the homily links the foot-washing ritual to ethical demands for serving the suffering and marginalized with fraternal compassion.

Love as the Only Motive

Quoting Pope Francis, the homily insists that imitating Christ's example cannot stem from convenience, hypocrisy, or mere obligation, but only from love, which transforms the commandment into a "duty that comes from the heart."