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

Francis remained in stable condition, with a guarded prognosis, meaning he was not out of danger, the Vatican said.

That’s it,” said Father Denzil Vinthanage, the priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Dozens of people attended the noon mass at church in Lufkin, which held mass four times to accommodate their members.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis increased his physical therapy with his condition remaining stable on Wednesday, marking the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead and calling the parish priest in Gaza, the Vatican said.

As Christians around the world mark the start of the season of Lent at Ash Wednesday services, the pope is taking part in associated traditions in his hospital room.

Pope Francis is still in the hospital as the church he leads marks the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The Vatican says he is showing signs of improvement but still has a ways to go.