VATICAN CITY—On the first anniversary of his election Pope Francis asked his twitter followers for prayers while on a spiritual retreat in Ariccia.  

 Rather than participating in any official ceremonies, the pontiff left Vatican City together with 82 members of the Roman Curia to withdraw to the quiet of the Paulines’ retreat house in the Alban hills outside Rome to spend time on spiritual exercises, where he will remain until Friday.

 The focus of the Lenten retreat is on self-denial and repentance, themes which match the tone of quiet humility which has characterised the first 12 months of Francis’s pontificate.

 "Pray for me," the pontiff tweeted.