Pope Francis and Vatican officials returned to Rome on Friday after five days of Lent spiritual exercises in the hill town of Ariccia outside Rome.
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 led the exercises at the "Casa del Divin Maestro,” a retreat centre in Ariccia, located about 25 miles southeast of Rome.
The exercises began on Sunday and included prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration, Vatican Radio reported.
