Vatican City, 1 March 2016 – The spiritual exercises of Pope Francis and the members of the Roman Curia will take place from 6 to 11 March in the Casa Divin Maestro in Ariccia. As usual, during this retreat, special and private audiences will be suspended, including the Wednesday general audience.

The exercises will be led by Fr. Ermes Ronchi, of the Servants of Mary, who will present to the Pontiff and the Curia ten questions drawn from the Gospels. On the first day, Sunday 6 March, there will be a Eucharistic adoration at 6 p.m. followed by Vespers. The subsequent days will begin at 7.30 a.m. with Lauds, followed by a first meditation at 9.30 a.m. and Mass. The second meditation will take place at 4 p.m., followed by a Eucharistic adoration and Vespers. On 11 March, the final day, there will be one session of meditation only.

The ten questions which will open the meditations are: "What are you looking for?" (John 1.38); "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4.40); "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?" (Matthew 5.13); "But who do you say that I am?" (Luke 9.20); "Then, turning to the woman, he told Simon, 'Do you see this woman?'" (Luke 7.44); "How many loaves do you have?" (Mark 6.38, Matthew 15.34); "Straightening up, Jesus said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?'" (John 8.10); "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" (John 20.15); "Simon son of John, do you love me?" (John 21.16); and "Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be?'" (Luke 1.34).