Pope Francis ushers in Lent at Ash Wednesday service

Pope Francis attends the Ash Wednesday mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis led Roman Catholics into the season of Lent at a traditional Ash Wednesday Mass, urging the faithful use the time to put aside materialism and self-centeredness and help others.

Participants, including the pope, had ashes sprinkled on their heads in the customary reminder of mortality during the service in the Basilica of Santa Sabina on Rome's Aventine Hill.