Francis remained in stable condition, with a guarded prognosis, meaning he was not out of danger, the Vatican said.

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,

Pope Francis’ health battle was on the minds of parishioners at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Charlotte and other Catholic churches around the world on Wednesday.