Pope to participate in Lenten retreat in south Rome March 1-6

Every year, Pope Francis leaves for a spiritual retreat at the beginning of the Lenten season. This year will be no different. 

He will board a bus and go to the Pauline Fathers' retreat center in Ariccia in the south of Rome. The retreat will be for the whole of a week, March 1-6.

This will be the seventh Lenten retreat for Pope Francis as pontiff, where he prays and reflects with members of the Roman Curia. 

Meditations will be led by Jesuit priest, Pietro Bovati, who is nearly 80 years old. 

During the week, Pope Francis will cancel his usual audiences, since he will not be at the Vatican. His next public event regarding Lent is a penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica on March 20.

Melissa Butz