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 ...

Participants remained in their vehicles as clergy moved from car to car during a drive-thru Ash Wednesday observance at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin. The annual Christian tradition ...

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, ...

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 ...

Purchase local photos online. People get the imposition of ashes to mark the start of the 40-day Lenten season at the Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. The symbol of the cross of ashes ...

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 ...

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.

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. 145 people finished in under a ...