Pope Leo XIV has opened the church's penitential Lenten season by presiding over Ash Wednesday. He is lamenting the "ashes of international law and justice" that have been left by today's wars and conflicts.Leo revived the traditional prayer and procession that Pope Francis largely had to delegate to others in his final years. The American pope led dozens of monks, priests, bishops and cardinals from one Roman church to another and then sprinkled ashes on the heads of cardinals. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and reflection. It starts a season of self-denial and repentance from sin known as Lent. It leads up to observances of Jesus' death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.
By TIFFANY STANLEY and DEEPA BHARATH Associated Press
A group of Buddhist monks has finally reached Washington after completing a 15-week trek from Texas that captivated the country. The monks say their aim is to promote mindfulness and inner peace. Their simple message has resonated in the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political division. On Tuesday, nearly 3,500 people packed American University's Bender Arena for the monks' first public stop in the nation's capital. The spectators remained silent as the saffron-robed monks walked into the arena in a sign of respect for them and their quest for peace.
The Vatican says that Pope Francis has increased his physical activity, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and marked the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead. The Holy Father suffered no respiratory crises during the day, receiving oxygen through a nasal tube. He will resume the use of a non-invasive mechanical mask for the night. He remains in stable condition. During the morning he participated in an Ash Wednesday celebration, receiving ashes and Holy Communion. He later set to work, which included a call to the Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, the Argentine priest who is the parish priest of the Holy Family church in Gaza.
