Photos curated by AP editors show Christians around the world marking Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, 40 days of prayer, fasting and reflection before Good Friday and Easter. Christians around ...

Ash Wednesday occurred on Feb. 18 and starts the 40 days of Lent Catholics observe before Easter. This involves fasting, prayer and no eating meat on Fridays. Students and community members attended ...

People pray after receiving ashes on their foreheads during noon mass at the Cathedral of Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Downtown Denver on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Stephen Swofford, ...

SANTA CRUZ — Parishioners received ashes on their foreheads at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz during Ash Wednesday morning Mass on Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many ...

"Lent is a time when we realize that because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our repentance turns us away from the darkness and towards the light. Today, we acknowledge ...

Christians across the Wyoming Valley observed Ash Wednesday. The day is traditionally observed by receiving ashes, fasting or abstaining from meat. It also marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks ...

Street parties abounded as Carnival took place across Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela and other places. Parishioners went to churches to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday in Mexico City. Montserrat Fuentes ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready ...

Christians around the world mark Ash Wednesday as the solemn beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting and reflection leading to Good Friday and Easter. We tested EveryPlate’s $7 meal kits ...