Pope Francis says he and his advisers are getting away from the Vatican for a few days to work, in his words, on fixing the "many defects we all have."
Reports say the pontiff told told tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that he and top aides will begin a spiritual renewal retreat Sunday till Friday morning, where they will spend time listening to reflections, meditating and praying in Ariccia, a Rome suburb.
The pope said that amid "the noise, the confusion," one hears "only superficial voices." During the retreat "we can listen to the voice of Jesus and also correct so many defects we all have," he said.
Welcoming prayers, Francis said the time off from Vatican duties will also help participants "face the temptations that attack us every day."
Although he didn't mention the defects which he says need fixing, in the nearly two years since becoming pontiff, Francis has put prelates on guard against careerism, arrogance, hypocrisy, corruption and being too judgmental instead of merciful.
Francis said "spiritual conversion and growth starts from the heart. It's there that the match of daily choices between good and evil, worldliness and Gospel, indifference and sharing gets played."