He recommended silence, fasting and prayer to mark these 40 days of Lent.
During the General Audience, he reflected on the beginning of Lent. He said it's a time to practice silence in one's heart.
The pope also said this difficult time should not be a reason to forget the suffering of the Syrian people.
The pope also invited quarantined Christians to join in a global rosary prayer on March 19, at 9 p.m., Rome time.
