The Catholic Church opened the solemn Lenten season leading to Easter on Wednesday without the participation of Pope Francis, who is in the third week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia.

Pope Francis suffered an isolated coughing fit on Friday that resulted in him inhaling vomit and requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said in relaying an alarming setback in his two-week long battle against double pneumonia.

Pope Francis suffered an isolated coughing fit on Friday that resulted in him inhaling vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said in relaying a setback in his two-week long battle against double pneumonia.

The Vatican is making alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week as Pope Francis recovers from pneumonia. ROME — Pope Francis reached the two-week mark in his recovery from pneumonia Friday as doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection but held out on declaring him out of danger entirely.

FOX 13’s Kailey Tracy reports how Bay Area Catholics observed Ash Wednesday as Pope Francis continues battling double pneumonia in a Rome hospital.

Cardinals and bishops arrive at Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, to attend a mass presided over by Cardinal Major Penitentiary Angelo De Donatis on Ash Wednesday.

The Vatican, though, made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still had a long road ahead. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the March 5 ceremony and procession that inaugurates the church’s solemn Lenten season leading up to Easter in April.

The 40-day season of Lent began as Christian faithful around the world celebrated Ash Wednesday in preparation for Easter in a period for penance, reflection and fasting among those of the Catholic faith.