Archbishop Lori celebrates first Ash Wednesday in Baltimore

While the pope is celebrating his last Ash Wednesday at the Vatican, Archdiocese of Baltimore Archbishop William Lori is celebrating his first.

The archbishop led a mid-day mass today at St. Alphonsus Church. He said he would celebrate Ash Wednesday later at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

“It’s really a wonderful thing for me to spend this first Ash Wednesday and Lent with a new archdiocese and family of faith,” Lori said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s an opportunity for me in this new and historic archdiocese to proclaim Christ, to welcome people into the church, to welcome people back to the church and with the people I serve, undergo this annual process of conversion and renewal.”

PHOTOS | Ash Wednesday at the Vatican and in New York

Archbishop Lori was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on March 20, 2012. Previously Lori served the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Lori is Baltimore’s 16th archbishop.