POPE LEO XIV led the opening rites of the Lenten season in his first Ash Wednesday Mass as pope, at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, headquarters of the Order of Preachers, on Feb. 18.
In his homily, the pope reflected on repentance, community and mortality, stressing that ashes imposed on the faithful are a reminder not only of human destiny but of the wounded state of the world.
He said the ashes carry “the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war,” and invited believers to “call death for what it is, and to carry its marks within us while also bearing witness to the resurrection.”
Pope Leo called on the youth to embody the spirit of Lent in the secular world, urging them to seek accountability “for wrongdoings in the Church and in the world.”
The pontiff stressed that human frailty is not equivalent to despair, as the recognition of sin is the starting point of conversion and hope.
“This is itself a sign and testimony of the Resurrection. Indeed, it means that we will not remain among the ashes, but will rise and rebuild,” he said.
The pope presided over the ancient and brief Ash Wednesday procession between two hilltop basilicas, one of the Dominicans and one of the Benedictines, on Rome’s Aventine Hill.
Pope Leo led a prayer service at the Benedictine monastery of the Church of Sant’Anselmo. He then led a solemn 200-meter penitential procession to the nearby Basilica of Santa Sabina, where he blessed the faithful, imposed ashes, and celebrated Mass.
The Mass at the Dominican basilica marks the start of the traditional Roman “station churches” pilgrimage, which began in the sixth century under Pope Gregory the Great and was revived by Pope John XXIII in 1959.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving leading to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
