The Friday reflections in Lent, like in Advent, usually are led by the official "preacher of the papal household," who, for the past 40 years, has been Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa.

As the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus in Europe continued to grow, the French Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes announced that pilgrims were still welcome, but the pools the sick bathe in hoping for healing would be closed temporarily.

While Ash Wednesday Masses were canceled in several northern Italian dioceses to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, bishops composed special prayers for their people and offered alternative ways to begin the celebration of Lent.

Schools and museums in the two regions were closed, and school trips were suspended for all students throughout Italy.

In his speech to council members, Pope Francis said the council's work on revising the section had reached a conclusion, but he did not indicate when he would promulgate the revised section of canon law.

Bishops from the Western United States reflect on their vocations while celebrating Mass at the Vatican during their ad limina visitation.

"We must change our pastoral routines to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and communities," the pope told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world.

Published in French in mid-January, the 148-page book -- "From the Depths of Our Hearts" -- will be released in English by Ignatius Press in late February.

The bishop said he knew people are frustrated that it is taking so long for the report to be published, but "an institution that's been around 2,000 years doesn't turn on a dime."

Pope Francis had slapped a pilgrim's hand in an incident that quickly went viral on Twitter. Departing from his prepared text the next day, he said that "love makes us patient. We often lose our patience; me, too, and I apologize for my bad example last night."