Pope Francis message for Lent: Cast off ‘dictatorship’ of superficial needs

Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome to celebrate mass on Ash Wednesday (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis ushered in the annual Christian Lenten period of sacrifice and reflection by encouraging people on Ash Wednesday to cast off what he called the “dictatorship” of heavy agendas and superficial needs.

Due to a knee problem, Francis did not join in the traditional Ash Wednesday procession between two churches on Rome’s Aventine Hill.