It's Ash Wednesday...

and no Mardi Gras party for me last night. KK and my mother are off in Rome; I don't know if they were able to obtain tickets for the Papal Mass at Santa Sabina, home of the Ordo Praedicatorum, the Order of Preachers--the Dominicans. The Basilica is not far from Santa Maria in Cosmedin, made famous by Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday. I had a chance to visit both during one trip to Rome--it would be nice to visit Santa Sabina again; there is a small gift shop in the basilica, with some prints of paintings by Fra Angelico.

No photos yet of the Holy Father for Ash Wednesday... here are some other photos instead...

South Korea 's President Roh Moo-hyun (R) presents a gift to Pope Benedict XVI during a private meeting at the Vatican February 15, 2007. REUTERS/Danilo Schiavella /Pool (VATICAN)

Pope Benedict XVI poses with South Korea 's President Roh Moo-hyun (R) and his wife during a private meeting at the Vatican February 15, 2007. REUTERS/Danilo Schiavella/Pool (VATICAN)

Pope Benedict XVI poses with South Korea 's President Roh Moo-hyun during a private meeting at the Vatican February 15, 2007. REUTERS/Pool/Danilo Schiavella (VATICAN)

Pope Benedict XVI chats with South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun during a private meeting at the Vatican February 15, 2007. REUTERS/Danilo Schiavella/Pool (VATICAN)

Pope Benedict XVI poses with South Korea 's President Roh Moo-hyun (L) during a private meeting at the Vatican February 15, 2007. REUTERS/Danilo Schiavella /Pool (VATICAN)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message to Apostolic Nuncios based in South America, in the Concistoro Hall at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. According to Italian news agencies, the pontiff reiterated his message on the need to defend marriage and families from the government's attempts to grant legal rights to same-sex couples. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO)

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing as he arrives at the 'Seminario Romano Maggiore' (Roman Major Seminar) for a visit, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope Benedict XVI, flanked by Rome's Vicar Cardinal Camillo Ruini, delivers his speech during a visit at Rome's 'Seminario Romano Maggiore' (Roman Major Seminar), Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Japanese faithful cheer at Pope Benedict XVI during the weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during the weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican February 21, 2007. REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli (VATICAN)

2 of Cardinal Bertone:


Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi (L) and Vatican Secretary of State Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone chat during a meeting to celebrate the anniversary of the sign of the Patti Lateranensi in Rome February 19, 2007. Pope Benedict on Saturday attacked 'lobbies' he blamed for unravelling the traditional family, as he escalated a war of words against Italian draft legislation that would recognise unwed and gay couples. REUTERS/Remo Casilli (ITALY)