Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season in Catholicism, one of the most religious seasons in the Catholic Church. And, with Pope Francis' health failing, parishioners at Rockford's Cathedral of St.

As Christians around the world mark the start of the season of Lent at Ash Wednesday services, the pope is taking part in associated traditions in his hospital room. Pope Francis had ashes imposed on his forehead at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital by another Catholic leader and also received the Eucharist,

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. A cardinal took the pope's place leading a short penitential procession between two churches on the Aventine Hill,