Pope Francis embarks on annual Lenten retreat

The Holy Father and members of the Vatican Curia have began their week-long Lenten retreat.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The theme of this year's retreat focuses on 10 questions from the Gospel.

This years' retreat was postponed from the usual first week of Lent to the fourth Sunday of Lent, because of the Pope's trip to Mexico.

Following Pope Francis' Angelus in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff traveled just outside of Rome to the retreat's location, the "Casa Divin Maestro" Center in Ariccia in the Alban Hills.

Led by the noted Italian author, Father Ermes Ronchi, of the Servants of Mary, those attending will endure a week full of powerful Curial Spiritual Exercises. "Each day will include moments of prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration," according to the Vatican Radio.

The retreat will conclude on March 11.

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