Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Benedict XVI: "Happy to Be in Castel Gandolfo"

Will Work From Summer Residence Until October

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 31, 2009 (Zenit.org).- "I am happy to be in Castel Gandolfo, in this beautiful city, and I hope to be with you for a few weeks," Benedict XVI affirmed Wednesday afternoon as he arrived to his summer residence on the shores of Lake Albano.

Today, L'Osservatore Romano reported that the Pope was welcomed to Castel Gandolfo by his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; the president and secretary-general of the Governor's Office for Vatican City State, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo and Archbishop Carlo Viganò, respectively; and the vicar-general of the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini.

As well, the bishop of Albano, Marcello Semeraro, was on hand, as were Bishop Giorgio Corbellini, president of the Labor Office of the Apostolic See; the parish priest and mayor of Castel Gandolfo; and the directors of the pontifical residence and the Vatican Observatory.

The Holy Father greeted and thanked them in a discourse interrupted by applause. He assured them that he had spent "beautiful days" in the Aosta Valley, "despite my small accident"
(referring to the fall that fractured his right wrist).
more...

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:32 PM