Lenten Campaign 2025
This content is free of charge, as are all our articles.
Support us with a donation that is tax-deductible and enable us to continue to reach millions of readers.
The spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia began Sunday evening in Paul VI Hall. They will continue through March 14. Father Roberto Pasolini, the new preacher of the papal household, is providing this year’s teachings.
This event means that starting this March 10, the nightly rosary for the health of Pope Francis, which has been organized in St. Peter's Square every evening at 9 p.m. since February 24, will be held in the Paul VI Hall in the late afternoon. The rosary will be held after the last reflection of the day and the recitation of Vespers by the retreatants.
Pope Francis, now 3.5 weeks in the hospital, is participating spiritually in the retreat.
"This time of recollection and prayer represents a moment of silence and discernment for the collaborators of the Holy Father, who will unite in a spirit of reflection and listening to the Word of God, continuing to pray for his health," the Vatican indicated.
"At the end of the spiritual exercises, on Friday, March 14, community prayer will resume in a renewed manner, remaining a sign of faith and ecclesial communion," the Holy See Press Office also announced, without further details for the moment.
The Portuguese cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, presided over Sunday evening's Rosary in St. Peter's, the last there until after the Curia's retreat is over.
On Sunday evening, the report on the Pope's health was positive:
Sunday medical report on Pope Francis
He followed the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia via video link from Gemelli Hospital, which began on Sunday afternoon in the Paul VI Hall and are being led by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap.
In the morning, the Pope received a visit from Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and the Substitute for the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra. He also attended Mass with those assisting him in these days.
The Pope continued his therapy, as well as respiratory and motor physiotherapy. He is following the prescribed diet, which now includes solid foods.
His condition appears stable, with slight gradual improvements, as stated in Saturday evening’s medical bulletin. However, the overall situation remains complex, prompting doctors to maintain a guarded prognosis.
A medical bulletin is expected to be released on Monday evening.
Follow updates on the Pope's health here.
See a Vatican News interview with Fr. Pasolini here.
