Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican at 11.30 this morning after concluding his Lenten spiritual exercises with the Roman Curia in Ariccia. The news was announced by the deputy director of the Holy See Press Office, Paloma Garcia Ovejero, who explained that the Pontiff had “celebrated a Mass for Syria this morning and sent €100,000 to the poor of Aleppo, also thanks to the contribution of the Roman Curia”. The Office of Papal Charities will make the donation through the Custody of the Holy Land. This evening, at 5pm, the Pope will travel to the Vicariate of Rome where he will meet with the parish priest prefects of the Diocese. “It will be a strictly private meeting which is a normal part of the life of the Church”, Ms Garcia Ovejero explained.