Pope Francis remains stable, misses start of Lent

Pope Francis, currently hospitalized for pneumonia, marked the start of Lent from his hospital bed, as he celebrated Ash Wednesday without physically attending the traditional Mass. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure on Monday, but his condition was reported as stable with no fever. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis led the Ash Wednesday service at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, reading out a homily prepared by the Pope that reflected on human fragility and the need for spiritual introspection. Despite his ongoing treatment, which includes physical and respiratory therapy, the Vatican maintains a cautious outlook on his prognosis. The Pope has not been seen in public since his hospitalization, marking a rare absence from key church events, including the Ash Wednesday celebrations. As the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics began their Lenten season, many expressed solidarity with Francis, understanding the weight of his health struggles during this significant period.