Pope Francis, cardinals, bishops and other members of the Roman Curia begin their annual Lenten Spiritual Exercises retreat.
Normally, the group travels outside Rome to make the spiritual exercises. However, this year the Vatican announced that everyone will make the retreat on their own and the Pope will remain in the Vatican.
The retreat began following the Angelus on February 26 and will finish on March 3 in the afternoon.
The tradition of the Pope going on retreat with the heads of Vatican dicasteries began around 80 years ago.
KG