Pope Francis increased his physical activity Wednesday, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and celebrated the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead, the Vatican said. The Holy Father suffered no respiratory crises during the day,

In his prepared March 5 catechesis, the Holy Father spoke about the 12-year-old Jesus’ desire to live his mission as the Son of God.

At Ash Wednesday services there was special consideration for the leader of the church, Pope Francis, as he remains hospitalized.