People all over, took the day to observe Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40-day period of Lent leading up to Easter.

The Catholic community marked Ash Wednesday as Pope Francis remains hospitalized with double pneumonia. FOX 5 NY’s Sharon Crowley reports from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral where the pope’s health is on the minds of many parishioners.

Thousands of Northeast Wisconsinites headed to church for Ash Wednesday. St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Oshkosh held four masses on Wednesday. Deacon John Ingala said they had about 1500 people come to church across the four masses and said that Ash Wednesday is usually one of their most well

While many gathered today to receive ashes, a symbol of faith, worshippers in North Beach also lifted up special prayers for Pope Francis.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a holy period for Catholics meant for reflection and to reaffirm their faith. This year, it comes at a precarious time for Pope Francis, who's been experiencing a health crisis since he was hospitalized on Feb.