Pope Francis has increased his level of physical therapy and remains in stable condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday night.

The call of Lent, Pope Francis wrote, is a call to turn to the Lord and so become "a sign of hope for the world."

Thousands of Northeast Wisconsinites headed to church for Ash Wednesday. St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Oshkosh held four masses on Wednesday. Deacon John Ingala said they had about 1500 people come to church across the four masses and said that Ash Wednesday is usually one of their most well

While many gathered today to receive ashes, a symbol of faith, worshippers in North Beach also lifted up special prayers for Pope Francis.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a holy period for Catholics meant for reflection and to reaffirm their faith. This year, it comes at a precarious time for Pope Francis, who's been experiencing a health crisis since he was hospitalized on Feb.

On Ash Wednesday, observant Catholics receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, a gesture that underscores human mortality. It is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics that signals the start of Christianity’s most penitent season.