With the commencement of Lent, Pope Leo XIV is set to establish a new tradition for spiritual exercises for himself and the members of the Roman Curia. These exercises will begin on February 22 and run until February 27. This marks the first Lenten season of Leo XIV's pontificate and deviates from the format established by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who preferred to hold these exercises in the serene environment of Ariccia, located thirty kilometers from Rome, at a retreat that facilitated collective meditation amidst nature.

Under Pope Francis, the spirit of the exercises took a more individualistic approach, with retreats held in isolation which reflected the unique circumstances of the pandemic. Spiritual exercises were conducted in a manner that invited members of the Curia to seek individual contemplation rather than group retreats. However, in 2025, there was a brief return to collective spiritual exercises held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, though during that time, Pope Francis was facing health challenges that complicated his participation in these traditional practices.

In a significant shift, Pope Leo XIV has chosen to return the location of these spiritual exercises back within the Apostolic Palace, rather than the Redemptoris Mater Chapel, which had previously been the venue during the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. This decision not only symbolizes a return to traditional practices but also indicates a new direction in the spiritual approach of Leo XIV’s papacy, shifting the focus back to the heart of the Vatican for these crucial Lenten reflections.