Originally, the most fascinating fact about the Pope Leo XIV spiritual exercises was that they were returning to the Apostolic Palace, but now more details are known about where and how they're going to happen. Pope Leo has said that he will hold them from February 22 to 27 together with senior Vatican officials.
The first detail to note is the specific location. Tradition was to hold them in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel, where they were previously conducted by Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
However, Pope Leo has decided that they will not take place there and, although the Holy See has not explained why, it is most likely related to the mosaics that adorn the walls.
The chapel is full of mosaics produced by the former Jesuit Marko Rupnik, accused of committing sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse against several religious women. He is currently involved in a canonical process, and the tribunal for the case was appointed in October.
Instead, Pope Leo has chosen the Pauline Chapel for this Lenten retreat, just a few meters from the Sistine Chapel, a setting that many will recall from the conclave.
It was from there that the cardinal electors processed out before locking themselves away beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes to elect the new pope.
The second detail clarified is who exactly would give the meditations? It could have been one of the preachers of the pontifical household or an Augustinian, given the Pope’s spirituality. But Pope Leo XIV has surprised many with his choice…
It is Erik Varden, a Norwegian bishop, a convert and Cistercian monk, author of bestselling books on spirituality. He is also president of the Scandinavian Bishops’ Conference and, a few months ago, Pope Leo himself appointed him a member of the Dicastery for the Clergy.
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Trans. CRT
