On Wednesday, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the Major Penitentiary, celebrated the traditional Mass beginning Lent at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome, and read the homily prepared by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis was "resting" Thursday after a peaceful night, the Vatican said as the 88-year-old nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia. On Thursday morning, the Holy See issued a typically brief statement saying "the night passed peacefully" and the pope was resting.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis couldn't celebrate Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent outside the hospital.