Ash Wednesday around the world

Nation & World News

Christians mark the beginning of Lent, a season of penance, on Feb. 13, 2013.

Zoe Lampru, an Emory student from Miami, receives ashes from Divinity students Katie O'Dunne and Peter Wallace. On Ash Wednesday teams of Candler Episcopal Studies students fanned out across the Emory Campus to offer "Ashes to Go."

Feg. 14, 2013 - Atlanta - Emory Divinity student Tom Gartin offers ashes in front of the Dooley statue on the Emory campus. On Ash Wednesday teams of Candler Episcopal Studies students fanned out across the Emory Campus to offer "Ashes to Go," part of a nationwide movement that has clergy and lay people visiting transit stops, street corners, coffee shops, and college campuses to mark the foreheads of interested passers-by with ashes.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 13: Pope Benedict XVI leads the Ash Wednesday service at the St. Peter's Basilica on February 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Ash Wednesday opens the liturgical 40-day period of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, penitence and alms giving leading up to Easter. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: A child receives a cross of black ashes on her forehead on Ash Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral on February 13, 2013 in New York City. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of pray and fasting for many Christians. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

George Marvaso, 70, of Novi, Mich., has ashes placed on his forehead while in his car by the Rev. June M. Marshall of the Novi United Methodist Church for Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013.

A Filipino Roman Catholic nun rubs the sign of the cross with ashes on the forehead of a worshiper in observance of "Ash Wednesday" which ushers the 45-day Lenten Season Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. The Lent is observed by Catholics through fasting, reflection, repentance and spiritual discipline and also to remind mankind of being mortals.

Pope Benedict XVI's chair, in foreground, frames the Vatican chorus prior to the start of the celebration of Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a solemn period of 40 days of prayer and self-denial leading up to Easter. Pope Benedict XVI told thousands of faithful Wednesday that he was resigning for "the good of the church," an extraordinary scene of a pope explaining himself to his flock that unfolded in his first appearance since dropping the bombshell announcement.

Grady Sullivan prays during an Ash Wednesday service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 in Conroe, Texas.

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Zoe Lampru, an Emory student from Miami, receives ashes from Divinity students Katie O'Dunne and Peter Wallace. On Ash Wednesday teams of Candler Episcopal Studies students fanned out across the Emory Campus to offer "Ashes to Go."

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