Pope Benedict the 16th has begun a week-long private spiritual retreat ahead of his resignation at the end of the month.
Benedict and some of his top cardinals will devote this week to daily prayers in a frescoed private chapel in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican during Lent.
Following the retreat, the Pope will celebrate his final Sunday prayer on February 24, and hold a last audience before tens of thousands of faithful on February 27.
Benedict will formally step down as pope on February 28 at 7pm (Irish time).