Pope on Ash Wednesday: Let’s share, be more sensitive

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has smudged ashes on the bowed heads of prelates, nuns and ordinary Catholics during Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The ritual marks the start of Lent, a period of penitence, prayer and self-sacrifice as the faithful prepare for Easter.
The ashes symbolize mortality.
In his homily, Francis described Lent as a good time “to train ourselves to be more sensitive and merciful” to others. He added that Lent presents the occasion to