ROME (AP) — Pope Francis increased his physical therapy with his condition remaining stable on Wednesday, marking the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead and calling the parish priest in Gaza, the Vatican said.

Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that developed into double pneumonia.

Ailing Pope Francis's condition is "stable" and he has not suffered a fresh breathing crisis, the Vatican said Thursday, as the 88-year-old nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia. "The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable compared to the previous days",