Rome, Italy, Feb 17, 2010 / 01:50 am
Following a multitude of carnival celebrations in Rome, the city began the Lenten season today with Ash Wednesday. Among the many liturgies to be offered today in the Eternal City, the Holy Father will preside over the General Audience and Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Saint Sabina.
"Carnevale" events in the Italian capital leading up to the beginning of Lent included parades, theater shows, equestrian performances, concerts and fireworks. For the first time ever, a Latin American contingent hosted a party in the streets of Rome in which participants danced past the Imperial Forums to the Colosseum.
Costumed children and masked people on horseback took part in events over the course of the extended Roman carnival celebrations which started Feb. 6.
With those days past now, Ash Wednesday ushers in the more solemn days of Lent.