Under Frescoes and Winter’s Calm: A Curia Convenes in Prayer

In that quiet hour before dusk settles fully over the ancient walls of the Vatican, the air inside the Pauline Chapel seems to carry its own hush — a contemplative pause between the cadence of the world outside and the rhythm of the liturgy within. The frescoed walls, adorned with scenes that have witnessed centuries of supplication and reflection, absorb the sound of soft footsteps and subtle breaths, as though the space itself were inviting those gathered toward an inner stillness.

On Sunday, as evening light filtered through high windows, the annual spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia commenced in this chapel tucked within the Apostolic Palace. Pope Leo XIV, members of the College of Cardinals, and the heads of Vatican dicasteries gathered for the opening, which began with the celebration of Second Vespers of the First Sunday of Lent. Cardinal Dominique François Joseph Mamberti presided over the liturgy, which included Psalm 90/91 — a text traditionally associated with trust and refuge and one that precedes the Gospel’s account of Christ’s temptations in the desert.

These exercises — a retreat rooted in centuries of Christian tradition — are conducted in a regime of silence, creating a rhythm that differs from the Curia’s usual schedule of audiences, meetings, and administrative deliberations. For several days, meditation and prayer take precedence over official agendas. Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian from Trondheim, Norway, has been appointed to guide the reflections, and his presence underscores a thread of monastic simplicity woven into this Lenten practice.

For those within the walls of the chapel, each day unfolds like a slow turning of pages in a contemplative text — moments of mid‑morning prayer followed by meditation, and evening reflections accompanied by Eucharistic adoration and Vespers. Themes drawn from Scripture and the Christian spiritual tradition are explored, inviting those present to enter more deeply into the season of Lent.

Such retreats are not new to the life of the Church, but each observance feels distinct — shaped by the needs of the time, the voices of those who lead, and the silent responses of those who listen. In the frescoes that line the Pauline Chapel, scenes of conversion and dedication echo with a kind of patience; in the gestures of those gathered, one senses a shared desire for deeper grounding as the liturgical season unfolds.

As the week progresses, from morning meditations to evenings of prayer, the focus remains on contemplation and renewal. For Pope Leo XIV and the senior officials of the Vatican, these days offer a space set apart from the bustle of governance. They are moments of introspection, silence, and spiritual attentiveness that trace a different pace from the urgent rhythms of everyday life.

In straight news language, the Lenten spiritual exercises for Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia began on Sunday in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. The retreat, led by Bishop Erik Varden, is taking place in silence and includes liturgical prayers such as Second Vespers and daily meditations. The exercises are part of the Vatican’s annual observance during the Lenten season.

AI Image Disclaimer

Visuals are AI‑generated and serve as conceptual representations.

Sources (Media Names Only)

Infovaticana EWTN News Catholic Time News Vatican News