Pope gets away from Vatican to work on correcting 'defects'

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is getting away from the Vatican for a few days and taking his advisers along, to work, as he put it, on "correcting the many defects we all have."

Francis told tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that later Sunday he and top aides were starting a spiritual renewal retreat. Until Friday morning, they will spend time listening to reflections, meditating and praying in Ariccia, a Rome suburb.

He didn't list the "defects." But in the nearly two years since becoming pontiff, Francis has put Vatican prelates on guard against careerism, arrogance, hypocrisy, corruption and being too judgmental instead of merciful.

Francis also said the heart is where daily choices are made between "good and evil" and between "indifference and sharing."