Pope says a cold is keeping him indoors

Ariccia - Wiki image -indeciso42

Source: Vatican News

In his address to pilgrims gathered for the Angelus in St Peter's Square today, Pope Francis said he has a cold, and so will not be going to Ariccia for the annual Lenten retreat there, but will stay at the Vatican.

The Pope had been scheduled to travel to the town in the Alban Hills outside Rome this afternoon, to participate in the week-long cycle of meditations.

"I will be following from here," he said, adding that although he will not physically participate in the retreat, he will spiritually join the Curia and all those who are experiencing moments of prayer.

The preacher who will be leading the retreat in the town of Ariccia this year is Jesuit Father Pietro Bovati, Secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

As always, the retreat takes place at Casa Gesù Divin Maestro (the Divine Master House) in the little town not far from Rome.

The theme chosen for this year's meditations is "The bush was on fire (Ex 3:2) - The encounter between God and man in light of the book of Exodus, the Gospel of Matthew, and the prayer of the Psalms".

Unlike previous Popes, in 2014 Pope Francis chose a place outside the Vatican for the Spiritual Exercises.

Father Ciro Benedettini, the then deputy director of the Holy See Press Office explained that he made this decision because it is common practice for Jesuits to perform the Exercises outside the place where they live.