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| POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI |
It has been
two months since Benedict XVI left the Vatican by helicopter.
In the last few hours of his pontificate Pope Benedict XVI traveled to the
summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. Now he comes back to the Vatican as Pope emeritus.
As the Vatican got ready for the
conclave, the remodeling of Benedict XVI's new residence was underway. From now
on, he will live at the Mater
Ecclesiae Monastery, located within Vatican territory.
Two months
after he headed out to Castel Gandolfo, he comes back to the Vatican in a
similar fashion, arriving by helicopter.
Upon his arrival, Secretary
of State, Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone was waiting for Benedict XVI, along with Angelo Sodano who
serves as the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Also there was the president of
the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello.
As Benedict XVI made his
way to the former monastery, Pope
Francis was there, ready to welcome him back to the Vatican. They both
went to pray in the chapel.
According to the Vatican's
press release, Benedict XVI will
serve the Church through prayer. He will live with his personal
secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein who will also serve as the prefect of the
Papal Household. Four consecrated lay women from the Communion and Liberation
movement will also live there to help out with every day chores.
More than likely, Benedict
XVI will be visited by his 88 year old brother Georg Ratzinger, who is his only
living relative.
The Mater Ecclesiae was
used as a monastery for 19 years. Before that, employees of the Vatican Radio
lived there, including the director. The living area is about 650 feet. The actual residence of Benedict XVI will be on the floor level,
so he doesn't have to go up and down the stairs. The four story building has a
small garden.
For now Pope Francis will
continue to live in the so called Casa Santa Marta which is a Vatican guest
house. So the first Latin American Pope and Benedict XVI will live just a few
meters away from each other. Despite having a Pope and a Pope emeritus living
in the Vatican, ironically, the
Papal apartment, to this day, remains empty.
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| POPE FRANCIS WELCOMES POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XIV BACK TO THE VATICAN |
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