Pope begins retreat, encourages prayer, fasting, charity
Last Updated on Monday, 07 May 2012 02:24 27 February 2012
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics for their prayers as he began his weeklong Lenten retreat Feb. 26.
Before reciting the Angelus prayer at midday with visitors in St. Peter's Square, he also prayed that all Catholics would "embrace the spirit of this holy season, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving."
Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo of Kinshasa was chosen to preach the retreat Feb. 26-March 3 for Pope Benedict and top Vatican officials in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel inside the Apostolic Palace.
The cardinal's topic was to be "Communion of the Christian with God."
During the retreat period, the pope clears his calendar of public events, including his weekly general audience.
— Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
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