Skip to content

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV walks through the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV on Holy Thursday returned the Mass of the Lord’s Supper to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, reviving a papal practice last observed there in 2012 under Benedict XVI.

Departing from Pope Francis’ custom of celebrating the liturgy in prisons or migrant centers, Leo celebrated the rite in the cathedral of Rome and washed the feet of 12 priests of the Diocese of Rome.

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful at the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV washes the feet of priests at the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Acolytes process through the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

The Gospel is held aloft at the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar of the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Cloudinary Asset

Pope Leo XIV holds a crucifix aloft at the Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

This article was originally published by EWTN News English.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

EWTN News Staff

The EWTN News Staff is a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. You can contact us at contactnews@ewtn.com with questions.

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis introduces voting age limit for bishops of Eastern Catholic Churches

Pope Francis meets participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, Feb. 18, 2022

King Charles III Plans State Visit To Vatican, Meeting With Pope Francis

King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom will make a state visit to the Holy See next month, with plans to hold an audience with Pope Francis on April 8.

Pope Francis urges young Catholics to build a world rooted in Christ’s kingship

Marking the solemnity of Christ the King and the close of the liturgical year, Pope Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, urging young Catholics to reject superficial acclaim and embrace authentic Christian witness.

Clerical sexual abuse victim shares story with Pope Leo XIV: ‘I didn’t hold back’

“I told him about the abuse,” David Ryan said. “I did get a feeling of being listened to

Cardinal of Tehran prays in Rome for ‘end to violence’ in Persian Gulf

In the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome, Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, on Monday

The Vatican Swiss Guards: Guardians with Tradition 

On May 6, thirty-four new Swiss Guard recruits will swear loyalty to the Pope, continuing a tradition dating back to 1527. Originating from the 'Sack of Rome,' where guards protected Pope Clement VII, their duty extends to safeguarding Vatican City.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com