- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Malvern Today
By the People, for the People
Pope Leo Leads Church's Start of Lent
Christians around the world observed Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Church's season of Lent.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo led an evening liturgy at a church in Rome where he said Christians should not view Lent as a private devotion, but should instead search for ways to introduce it to 'the many restless people of good will' who are seeking 'authentic ways to renew their lives.' The Ethiopian Catholic Church celebrated Lent according to both the Eastern (Ge'ez) and Latin calendars, blending traditional Ge'ez liturgy with the universal Latin liturgical practice. The Vatican offered a message that Lent and Ramadan would 'become a catalyst for a renewed world, where the weapons of war give way to the courage of peace.'
Why it matters
Lent is a significant time in the Christian calendar, as it marks the 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and repentance leading up to Easter. Pope Leo's call for Christians to share Lent with 'restless people of good will' highlights the Church's desire to engage the broader community during this sacred season. The blending of Eastern and Western liturgical traditions in Ethiopia, as well as the Vatican's message connecting Lent and Ramadan, demonstrate the global and ecumenical nature of Lent.
The details
On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo led an evening liturgy at a church in Rome where he emphasized that Christians should not view Lent as a private devotion, but should instead seek ways to share it with 'the many restless people of good will' who are seeking 'authentic ways to renew their lives.' The Ethiopian Catholic Church celebrates Lent according to both the Eastern (Ge'ez) and Latin calendars, blending traditional Ge'ez liturgy with the universal Latin liturgical practice. Since Lent and Ramadan began on the same day, the Vatican offered a message that the two observances would 'become a catalyst for a renewed world, where the weapons of war give way to the courage of peace.'
- Ash Wednesday was on February 18, 2026.
- Lent began for Christians and Ramadan began for Muslims on the same day.
The players
Pope Leo
The current Pope who led an Ash Wednesday liturgy in Rome and emphasized that Christians should share Lent with 'the many restless people of good will' seeking 'authentic ways to renew their lives.'
Ethiopian Catholic Church
The Catholic Church in Ethiopia that celebrates Lent according to both the Eastern (Ge'ez) and Latin calendars, blending traditional Ge'ez liturgy with the universal Latin liturgical practice.
What they’re saying
“Christians should not view Lent as a private devotion, but should instead search for ways to introduce it to 'the many restless people of good will' who are seeking 'authentic ways to renew their lives.'”
— Pope Leo (Vatican News)
“Lent and Ramadan would 'become a catalyst for a renewed world, where the weapons of war give way to the courage of peace.'”
— The Vatican (Vatican News)
The takeaway
Pope Leo's call for Christians to share Lent with the broader community and the Vatican's message connecting Lent and Ramadan demonstrate the Church's desire to engage people of all faiths in the sacred season of renewal and reconciliation.
