The Vatican announced today that the Ash Wednesday liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitenciary and delegate of Pope Francis.
Newsroom (04/03/2025 10:37, Gaudium Press) Pope Francis, hospitalized since February 14 at the Gemelli Polyclinic due to respiratory problems, will not preside over the traditional Ash Wednesday celebration at the Aventine in Rome.
The Holy See Press Office announced that Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, chief penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, will preside over the traditional celebration of the Ash Wednesday liturgy on the Aventine Hill on March 5th.
According to an ancient Roman tradition revived by St. John XXIII, the Pope usually begins the Ash Wednesday liturgy in the church of San Anselmo, before leading a penitential procession to the basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine, where he celebrates Mass.
As the Pope is in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for treatment of bilateral pneumonia, he has delegated these duties to Cardinal De Donatis, to preside over this year’s ceremony in his place.
According to a message from the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Giovanni Diego Ravelli, the celebration of Ash Wednesday will begin at 4:30 p.m. (Rome time) with the “seasonal liturgy” at San Anselmo, followed by the procession to Santa Sabina, accompanied by cardinals and bishops, the Benedictine monks of San Anselmo and the Dominican priests of Santa Sabina.
At the end of the procession, in the Basilica of Santa Sabina, the Eucharistic celebration will take place, including the rite of blessing and the imposition of ashes.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) during which the faithful are invited to fast, share and do penance in preparation for Easter, the most important celebration in the Christian calendar (in 2025, it will be celebrated on April 20).
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
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