Pope changes Ash Wednesday schedule due to declining health

Published: 2004-01-12

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II will skip a traditional Ash Wednesday liturgy this year in a historic Rome church, the latest schedule cutback caused by the pontiff's declining health. The Vatican announced that instead of traveling across the city to place ashes on the foreheads of the faithful the pope will do so at the Vatican. The liturgy in the Paul VI audience hall will take the place of the pope's regular general audience, the Vatican said Jan. 10. In 1979, the pope revived the practice of leading an Ash Wednesday procession on the Aventine Hill, then distributing ashes to cardinals, bishops and religious at the Basilica of Santa Sabina. He said he instituted the ceremony because he felt strongly that the Lenten season "cannot pass unnoticed."

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