Pope’s first spiritual retreat outside Vatican

October 18, 2013 - Pope Francis has decided that his first spiritual exercise or retreat with officials of the Roman curia next year will not be held in the Vatican as with past popes, but outside Rome. As the venue of the retreat, the Pope chosen the house of the Paulines or the Society of St. Paul, in Albano Laziale, just outside Rome, not far from the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo. The Holy See’s Press Office said that the Pope has already sent invitations to the heads of Vatican dicasteries ( or departments) to gather there with him, March 9-14. The press office explained that the decision of history’s first Jesuit Pope has been obviously prompted by the Jesuit tradition of holding retreats away from one’s working place, to ensure a silent and distraction-free spiritual exercise. Pope Francis, has chosen as his retreat preacher Fr. Angelo Do Donatis, a priest of Rome Diocese, of which the Pope is the bishop. Traditionally, the papal retreat starts on the first Sunday of Lent. (Source: Vatican)