Lenten Spiritual Exercises underway for Pope, Roman Curia in Vatican

This first week of Lent, Pope Francis' engagements are suspended as he and top Roman Curia officials dedicate these days to private, prayerful Spiritual Exercises.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis and the Roman Curia are dedicating this first week of Lent to Spiritual Exercises, focused on private, personal prayer.

Last month, the Holy See Press Office announced the Pope had invited all Cardinals residing in Rome, heads of Dicasteries, and Superiors of the Roman Curia to take the week for prayer.

Pope Francis’ engagements are suspended this week, including the Wednesday General Audience of tomorrow, 1 March.

His next public event will be his Sunday Angelus.

The Holy Father urged top officials of the Roman Curia to “experience in a personal way a period of Spiritual Exercises.”

In order to facilitate their personal retreat, he requested them to suspend their “work activities and engage in prayer from the afternoon of Sunday, 26 February, to the afternoon of Friday, 3 March."

Listen to our report