The Catholic Church opened the solemn Lenten season leading to Easter on Wednesday without the participation of Pope Francis, who was in the third week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia.

The Pope is continuing his medical treatment at Gemelli Hospital and was unable to attend the Mass held inside the Basilica of Santa Sabina located on Rome’s Aventine Hill.

The holy day is the first day of Lent, which is when Christians spend 40 days before Easter reflecting on their religion.

Millions of Christians around the world are recognizing Ash Wednesday this week, marking the beginning of Lent.

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WESTFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Services for Ash Wednesday took place Wednesday across western Massachusetts.

Now in its 8th year, the service at St. Mark’s Episcopal Parish gives busy commuters a way to mark the beginning of Lent.

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of penance.

Francis remained in stable condition, with a guarded prognosis, meaning he was not out of danger, the Vatican said.