During the last week of February 2026, Pope Leo XIV led a period of introspection and prayer that marked the beginning of Lent for the Roman Curia. The spiritual exercises, held in the iconic Pauline Chapel, took place from February 23 to 27 and culminated in an inspiring message from the Pontiff, who described the experience as a transformative moment for both personal and ecclesial life.

Led by Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, the participants—including cardinals and members of the Curia—engaged in profound meditations inspired by monastic tradition. Varden, with his wisdom rooted in Trappist spirituality, explored central themes such as hope, freedom, and truth, drawing on historical figures like St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. John Henry Newman. One of the most impactful reflections centered on Newman’s poem “The Dream of Gerontius,” which addresses the fear of death and divine judgment, inviting one to confront their own unworthiness before God as a path to grace.

Pope Leo XIV, in an impromptu address at the close of the eleventh meditation, shared his personal impressions with warmth and humor. He recalled an anecdote about the election of Pope Eugene III, quoting the words of St. Bernard: “What have you done? May God have mercy on you,” which elicited smiles from those present and underscored the humility required in ecclesial service. The Pontiff admitted to having felt “particularly invited to reflect” at various moments, especially when contemplating the inscription in the Pauline Chapel taken from the Epistle to the Philippians: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This phrase, according to Leo XIV, encapsulates the essence of Christian hope, reminding us that even in the daily separation of curial work, communal prayer unites everyone in a common purpose.

Beyond the meditations, the Pope emphasized the role of music in spiritual elevation. He thanked the choir and the liturgical team for their contribution, stating that “music helps us in a way that words cannot, lifting our spirits to the Lord.” This sensory element, combined with the theological reflections, transformed the exercises into a “profound spiritual experience, very important on our Lenten journey,” as the Holy Father expressed it.

In his closing exhortation, Leo XIV invoked another Pauline quote: “I ask only that you conduct yourselves as worthy followers of the Gospel of Christ.” This call resonates as the heart of the retreat: an invitation to live authentically, prioritizing communion and witness amidst the Church’s contemporary challenges. The gratitude expressed toward Bishop Varden was not merely formal; the Pope praised him for infusing the sessions with “a wealth of reflections that will be a source of grace and encounter with Jesus Christ for a long time to come.”

Here are all the meditations from these Spiritual Exercises .