Pope Leo XIV will lead the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. John Lateran, marking the start of the Easter Triduum with classical solemnity.
Newsroom (01/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which will inaugurate the Easter Triduum, will once again transform the Basilica of St. John Lateran into the heart of Holy Week observance in Rome. This year’s celebration, to be presided over by Pope Leo XIV, will attract global attention not only for its spiritual significance but also for the specific liturgical choices outlined in the official booklet to be issued by the Holy See.
As prescribed for Holy Thursday, the liturgy will commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, the ordination of the priesthood, and the enduring example of Christian service. The Gospel reading will proclaim the account of Christ washing the feet of His disciples, accompanied by the phrase “he loved them to the end.” The rite of the washing of feet will again illustrate the new commandment of charity, visually expressing Christ’s call to humble service.
A return to the Roman Canon
One of the most notable details of the planned liturgy will be the use of Eucharistic Prayer I, the Roman Canon, as expressly indicated in the Vatican’s program. As the oldest Eucharistic prayer in the Latin rite, its inclusion will lend a classical tone to the celebration. While in recent decades it has become less common in papal liturgies, its revival will signal a renewed appreciation for continuity and tradition at the heart of the Church’s worship.
The preface will draw attention to the themes of sacrifice and self-giving, framing Christ’s institution of the Eucharist as both memorial and mystery of love. The Canon will maintain its traditional structure—with its solemn intercessions, invocation of the saints, and rhythmic cadence—complemented by the chanting of Ubi caritas during the offertory and the procession for the repositioning of the Blessed Sacrament to the sound of Pange lingua. Together, these elements will create a liturgy that bridges continuity with reverence.
A symbolic act of humility
The Diocese of Rome has announced that Pope Leo XIV will wash the feet of twelve priests during the liturgy at the Lateran. Eleven of them will have been ordained by the pope last year, while the twelfth will serve as chaplain to the local seminary. This deeply symbolic act will recall the scene of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of His twelve apostles, teaching them humility and love through service.
The ritual, first permitted as part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper by Pope Pius XII in 1955, will continue a centuries-old tradition that evolved through successive pontificates. Only men participated in the rite until Pope Francis extended it to include both women and men in 2016. During his papacy, Francis had often celebrated the rite among the marginalized—washing the feet of migrants, refugees, and prisoners.
By returning the celebration to his Roman cathedral, Pope Leo XIV will place the event in continuity with the approach of earlier popes, such as John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who also marked the occasion at the Lateran. His choice will also honor his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday 2025, symbolizing a bridge between reform and tradition.
The rhythm of a sacred week
Holy Thursday will mark the beginning of a full and intense sequence of liturgical duties for Pope Leo XIV. He will preside over the Chrism Mass in the morning—blessing the oils used in sacraments throughout the year—before returning in the evening for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. On the following day, Good Friday, he will celebrate the Passion of the Lord and lead the Stations of the Cross, while the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday will stand as the centerpiece of the Triduum, ushering in the joy of Easter Sunday.
As the Lateran Basilica fills with the chant of ancient hymns and the quiet reverence of the faithful, the opening of the Triduum under Pope Leo XIV will not only renew a sacred tradition but also reaffirm the living continuity of the Church’s liturgical and pastoral heritage—linking past, present, and the ever-renewing mystery of faith.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infovaticana and https://katholisch.de/
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