At migrant center in Castelnuovo Di Porto, Italy, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 refugees. The ceremony was a part of the observances of Maundy Thursday, the Holy Thursday before Easter that dates back to the story of Jesus’ Last Supper. In a powerful gesture, the Pope went down on his knees before a group of eight men and four women among whom were Muslims, Coptic Christians and Hindus.

He said, ‘All of us together: Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, Copts, Evangelicals ... all brothers and children of the same God. We want to live together in peace,’ during a Mass before the foot washing ceremony.

Previously, Francis has observed Maundy Thursday by washing the feet of the elderly, prisoners, and people with disabilities. However, after his election as pope in 2013, the pontiff made waves by including women in his foot washing ceremony at a juvenile detention center.

But, finally this year, Francis officially announced that women would be included in the ceremony from now on.