Pope Francis departed on Sunday afternoon to Casa Divin Maestro (Divine Master House) in the town of Arriccia, located in the outskirts of Rome, where he will participate in the annual Lenten Spiritual Exercises.
The Holy Father will remain there for the week with members of the Roman Curia .
During his Sunday Angelus address, the Pope asked the faithful to pray for him and those attending the week long retreat.
“I ask that you pray for us, that in the desert of the Spiritual Exercises, we may listen to the voice of Jesus, and also correct so many defects that we have,” he said. “And to also confront the temptations that attacks us every day. I ask you therefore to accompany us with your prayers.”
According to the Vatican Press Office, the Lenten reflections will be offered this year by Carmelite Father Bruno Secondin, who will offer meditations on the theme: Servants and prophets of the living God.”
The retreat will conclude on the morning of Friday, February 27th. Until then all activities, including the Pope’s weekly General Audience are suspended.
Upon their arrival, Pope Francis and the members of the Curia participated in Eucharistic Adoration and Evening Prayer. During the week, they will begin with Morning Prayer at 7:30 a.m., followed by a meditation and celebration of Holy Mass. On Friday, the retreat will conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.
The Spiritual Exercises, which once took place within the Vatican, was moved to a retreat house outside of Rome by Pope Francis.
