Lenten Retreat finished, Pope and Curia leaders return to Vatican
March 14, 2014
Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on March 14, along with the leaders of the Roman Curia, having concluded their annual Lenten Retreat.
Before leaving the Casa del Divin Maestro, where the retreat had taken place, Pope Francis thanked the preacher for the spiritual exercises, Msgr. Angelo De Donatis. The Pontiff said that the daily meditations had planted “a good seed” in the minds and hearts of those who participated, and “the seed will grow… and will bear fruit.”
The Pope asked the preacher to continue praying for the Roman Curia, which he described as “a syndicate of believers.” He said: “We are all sinners but we all have the will to follow Jesus more closely, without losing hope in the promise and also without losing a sense of humor.”
Concluding the retreat on Friday morning, the Pope and the prelates of the Roman Curia returned by bus from the retreat center, about 15 miles outside Rome, to resume their normal working schedules.
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Further information:
- The Spiritual Exercises Conclude (VIS)
- Pope completes spiritual exercises, returns to Vatican (Vatican Radio)
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