Pope Francis and members of the Vatican government are taking part in Lent spiritual exercises this week, Vatican Radio reported on Monday.
The exercises usually take place during the first week of Lent, but were postponed this year due to the pope's visit to Mexico, Vatican Radio said.
Italian author Father Ermes Ronchi is leading the exercises at the "Casa del Divin Maestro,” a retreat centre in Ariccia, located about 25 miles southeast of Rome.
Each day will include moments of prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration and the participants will return to the Vatican on Friday.