VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis made a visit to the Regina Coeli prison Thursday and met with 70 inmates, saying that he wanted to visit a penitentiary even though this year, due to his convalescence he could not carry out the traditional Holy Thursday rite of washing prisoners’ feet.

 After being greeted by the prison director, Claudia Clementi, the pontiff, 88, went to the central hall of the prison where he was able to address the throng of scores of prisoners of various nationalities who participate regularly in the spiritual activities and catechisms organised by the prison chaplain, the Vatican said in a statement.

  “I like every year doing what Jesus did on Holy Thursday, the washing of the feet, in prison,” Francis told the inmates.

 “This year I can’t do that, but I want to and can be close to you. I pray for you and your families.”

 At the end of a moment of prayer, the pope greeted individually each of the inmates in the Rotonda area.

 The 30 minute visit to the prison on the banks of the Tiber ended with Francis leading the inmates in saying the Our Father and giving them his blessing.