Francis, 88, remained hospitalized in Rome while the Vatican celebrated the Mass for the Jubilee of the World of Volunteers.
Pope Francis was hospitalized on Feb. 14 after suffering a bout of bronchitis for weeks and after increasingly finding it hard to speak publicly.
Pope Francis, the beloved 88-year-old pontiff, has been on quite the health journey lately, and it's been a rollercoaster of emotions for Catholics worldwide. It all started on February 14, when Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital due to bronchitis.
Wednesday is the first day of lent, and many people in western Massachusetts received ashes at their church in the morning.
In his prepared March 9 homily for the first Sunday of Lent, the Holy Father said difficulties and trials do not "end in failure” for Christians who embrace their relationship with God our redeemer.
Pope Francis sent a written message on Saturday for those attending the Movement for Life mass at St. Peter's Basilica on National Women's day. The Pope was unfortunately absent due to his hospitalisation.