The annual spiritual exercises of the Pope and Roman Curia outside of Rome in the Castelli Romani, again this year, will not take place. Instead Pope Francis is inviting all who would have participated to withdraw in prayer from home.

This was announced in a Holy See Press Office communique, today, Jan. 20, confirming that for the second year in a row, all should be praying from home the second week of March.

“Due to the continuing epidemiological emergency caused by Covid-19,” the statement began, “again this year too it will not be possible for the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia to take place in community at the Casa Divin Maestro in Ariccia.”

“The Holy Father has therefore invited the Cardinals resident in Rome, the heads of Dicasteries and the superiors of the Roman Curia,” it continued, “to make their own personal arrangements, withdrawing in prayer, from the afternoon of Sunday 6 to Friday 11 March.”

“During that week,” it concluded, “all the Holy Father’s engagements will be suspended, including the General Audience on Wednesday 9 March.”