Pope Francis increased his physical activity Wednesday, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and celebrated the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead, the Vatican said. The Holy Father suffered no respiratory crises during the day,

While Pope Francis remained hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, Italian Cardinal Angelo De Donatis celebrated the Ash Wednesday Mass in his place at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, March 5 in Rome.

ROME (TNND) — Vatican officials said Pope Francis is resting on this Ash Wednesday, the start of the solemn Lenten period. The 88-year-old pontiff slept through the night at Rome's Gemelli hospital, according to a statement provided by the Vatican.