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Holy Thursday is the day Christians commemorate the day Jesus
instituted the priesthood.
The pope, leader of the 1.3 billion Roman Catholic Church, said
the Mass of the Chrism in a secondary part of St. Peter's
Basilica for about 200 people instead of the nearly 10,000 in
the past.
It is the second consecutive Easter season under COVID-19
restrictions. The Vatican follows guidelines from Italy, which
has seen a resurgence in infections and deaths.
Francis, 84, blessed oils for Church sacraments and led
cardinals, bishops and about 75 priests in renewing their vows.
In his homily, Francis asked priests to be humble, reminding
them that Jesus went about caring for sinners and outcasts
disregarding the "scorn in the self-righteous" of the critics of
his times.
Francis has delegated a cardinal to lead the second Holy
Thursday event in the evening.
Traditionally on this occasion the celebrant washes and kisses
the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus' gesture of humility
towards his apostles, but this year coronavirus restrictions
have omitted that part of the ritual.
It was not clear why the pope, who in the past has held the
service in prisons or homes for elderly people, had delegated
the evening Mass. Some have speculated that he wants to rest
ahead of three busier days. He suffers from sciatica, which
causes pain when it flares up.
Francis is due to preside at two services on Good Friday, the
day Christians commemorate the crucifixion and two on Holy
Saturday. On Easter Sunday, the most important day in the
Christian liturgical calendar, he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi"
(to the city and the world) message.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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