Pope Urges Catholics to Swap Social Media for Reflection as Lent Begins

A cardinal sprinkles ashes on the head of Pope Francis during the celebration of Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 14, 2024, at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome. (Vatican Media vis AFP)

Pope Francis urged Catholics to forgo worldly trappings and focus on essentials as he opened the season of Lent with a traditional Ash Wednesday Mass on one of Rome's historic seven hills.