Pope Francis: the history behind the ancient Christian ritual of washing feet Calls from groups within the Church for women to be ordained have been rebutted on the basis that Jesus's apostles were men. There is no Catholic dogma which explicitly forbids the participation of women, though a circular letter from 1988 which explains the importance of the tradition refers specifically to the "washing of the feet of chosen men." Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio - as Pope Francis was previously known - had already washed and kissed the feet of women in past ceremonies in Argentinian jails, hospitals and old people's homes, including pregnant mothers and Aids patients. Other Catholic priests and bishops have also included women in the feet washing although this is considered highly unusual. The role of women in the Church has become an increasingly hot topic, with campaigners and rebel clerics calling for a review of the dogma which bans female priests - particularly as male priest numbers are dropping in the West. The practice of washing feet appears to stem from ancient hospitality customs, whereby hosts would provide servants to clean the feet of newly arrived guests. There are some variations to the ritual as performed in churches across the world today. In some cases whole congregations participate in the washing, or take it in turns to wash each other's feet.