File photo of Pope Francis during Lent
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Jan 17 2024
The first week of Lent, Pope Francis’ engagements will be suspended as he and top Roman Curia officials dedicate the days to private, prayerful Spiritual Exercises.
Pope Francis and the Roman Curia will be dedicating the first week of Lent to Spiritual Exercises, focused on private, personal prayer, the Holy See Press Office announced Monday morning, stating 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 that week, including the General Audience of Wednesday, Feb 21.
His next public event that week is expected to 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, Feb 18, to the afternoon of Friday, Feb 23.” – Vatican News
