Pope's retreat reflects on the Gospel's 'raw' questions

Vatican City, Mar 7, 2016 / 10:57 am

Pope Francis and members of the Curia embarked Sunday on their annual Lenten retreat, which this year centers on the theme: "Le nude domande del vangelo" – "The raw questions of the Gospel."

The March 6-10 reflections, led by Fr. Ermes Ronchi of the Servants of Mary, are centering on 10 key questions from the Gospel, including: "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" (Mark 4:40) and "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" (John 8:10).
 
This is the third consecutive year the Pope has chosen to follow the Lenten spiritual exercises in a location outside of Rome, in order to foster the spiritual retreat and to avoid the temptation to continue working.

The five-day spiritual exercises are taking place at the Casa Divin Maestro retreat center in Ariccia, a city located some 16 miles outside of Rome.

The 2015 papal retreat, led by Fr. Bruno Secondin, Carmelite, was on the theme: "Servants and prophets of the living God."

#Pope Francis and other members of the Roman Curia began their annual spiritual retreat yesterday in the town of Ariccia about 20 miles south of Rome. During the retreat, the #Pope will have no public meetings or audiences until Friday, March 11th, including no Wednesday general audience. The retreat includes moments of prayer, meditation, and Eucharistic adoration. The spiritual exercises will be led by Father Ermes Ronchi. Photo: L'Osservatore Romano / @catholicnewsagency #Lent #CatholicChurch #Catholic

A photo posted by Catholic News Agency (@catholicnewsagency) on Mar 7, 2016 at 6:11am PST