Pope to make Lenten retreat

March 05,2014: Pope Francis will make his Lenten spiritual retreat in Ariccia, a small town in the province of Rome, central Italy. The pontiff will make the March 9-14 retreat with the Roman Curia, including cardinals and bishops. The preacher at the 6-day retreat will be a Roman priest Fr. Angelo De Donatis. The shift to Ariccia was decided upon by the Holy Father, in order to reside in a quiet place, away from the offices of their usual work to devote more concentration to the spiritual exercises. The Pope opened the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday at St.Anselmo church in Aventino, Rome with a procession, proceeding to Santa Sabina church where he celebrates Mass.