The pope's secretary helped him carry his suitcase to the bus that was waiting to take him to the spiritual retreat.
Pope Francis, along with the cardinals and archbishops of the Vatican Curia, took a bus to a religious house in Ariccia, an hour away from Rome.
Guards waited for him at the door of the enclosure and saluted him upon entering.
Inside, he was received by the superior of the Pauline Family, who is responsible for the place.
The priest responsible for giving the retreat is the Benedictine monk Bernardo Francesco Maria Gianni. He is abbot of San Miniato al Monte, an abbey very active in the spiritual and cultural life of Florence. Searching for God in the city is the central theme of his meditations.
The retreat will last until Friday. Undoubtedly, the great courtyard of the house, and the views of Albano Lake, will help the pope rest.
