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,

As Catholics around the world celebrated the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, congregants in Nigeria took a moment to pray for the well-being of Pope Francis, who has been undergoing treatment due to health challenges.

The Vatican says that Pope Francis has increased his physical activity, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and marked the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead