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.

The Vatican has made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Pope Francis still had a long road to recovery.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis’ condition remained stable on Wednesday (March 5), according to a Vatican statement relaying his doctors’ reports. As Francis is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, the Vatican prepares to celebrate Lenten events without the pontiff.

VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church opened the solemn ... and was to read a homily prepared for the pontiff marking Ash Wednesday In its latest update on Francis, the Vatican said that the ...

Pope Francis increased his physical activity Wednesday, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and celebrated the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead, the Vatican said. The Holy Father suffered no respiratory crises during the day,

The Vatican, though, made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week ... that he was still very much in charge. In Mexico City, a few dozen people gathered Thursday night at the cathedral ...

Pope Francis is still in the hospital as the church he leads marks the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The Vatican says he is showing signs of improvement but still has a ways to go.

Pope Francis remains hospitalised with pneumonia, using a ventilation mask overnight as Vatican marks Ash Wednesday.

The Vatican, though, made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week ... that he was still very much in charge. In Mexico City, a few dozen people gathered Thursday night at the cathedral ...

The Vatican is making alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week as Pope Francis ... that he was still very much in charge. In Mexico City, a few dozen people gathered Thursday night at the ...