10 hours ago · That was how Pope Francis started his homily for this year’s Ash Wednesday liturgy, held in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Sabina. As the Pope is currently in hospital receiving treatment for bilateral pneumonia, his homily was read out by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

9 hours ago · The Ash Wednesday Mass in Rome traditionally led by the Pope was presided over this March 5 by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary. The Holy Father is now on his 20th day in the hospital.

12 hours ago · Catholics across the U.S and around the globe prayed for Pope Francis at services marking Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence for many Catholics and other Christian denominations.. The ...

1 day ago · VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis marked Ash Wednesday on his 20th day in Rome's Gemelli hospital by taking part in the rite of the blessing of the ashes and receiving them in a short prayer service, the Vatican said. While the 88-year-old pope's overall clinical case remained complex, his condition was "stable" and he did not experience any ...

8 hours ago · Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a church court, read Pope Francis’ homily as he led the Ash Wednesday celebration usually presided over by the pope.

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, reads the homily Pope Francis prepared for the celebration of Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 5, 2025. The pope, who is hospitalized, delegated the cardinal to preside at the liturgy. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

10 hours ago · Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, sprinkles ashes on the had of another cardinal during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 5, 2025. Pope Francis, who is hospitalized, asked Cardinal De Donatis to preside at the liturgy in his stead. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

7 hours ago · Pope Francis marked Ash Wednesday on his 20th day in Rome's Gemelli hospital by taking part in the rite of the blessing of the ashes and receiving them in a short prayer service, the Vatican said. While the 88-year-old pope's overall clinical case remained complex, his condition was "stable" and he did not experience any episodes of ...

Feb 14, 2024 · On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis said that Lent is a time to look inward at our true selves and to share our deepest desires, worries, and weaknesses with the Lord in prayer.

Feb 22, 2023 · Pope Francis reflects on the meaning of receiving ashes on our foreheads at the beginning of Lent, and during the Ash Wednesday Mass, invites us to “set out on the path of charity, prayer, and fasting.”