It was tradition to see Pope Francis and members of the Roman Curia like this during the first week of Lent. Since 2014, they would travel by bus to a town outside Rome for their spiritual exercises.
This year, and for the fifth consecutive year, the Pope will not leave the Vatican. Rather, he will hold the retreat at his residence. From February 18 to 23, Pope Francis will suspend his activities, including the General Audience on February 21.
The Pope has also asked the cardinals residing in Rome, heads of dicasteries and superiors of the curia to (quote) “live this period in a personal way by suspending their work and devoting themselves to prayer.”
The last time Pope Francis attended these Lenten Spiritual Exercises was in 2019. In 2020, he was unable to go on account of having a cold; in 2021 and 2022, due to the restrictions of Covid; and last year, the Vatican did not reveal the reasons for performing the exercises on his own.
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TR: KG
