BROTHER GEORG MAKES
A DAY TRIP TO ANAGNI
By PIERO CARNEVALE
Translated from
Since he arrived in Castel Gandolfo two weeks ago, the only picture I have seen of Mons. Ratzinger was a brief shot from a Rome Reports videoclip of the chamber orchestra concert in Castel Gandolfo on August 2.
ANAGNI, August 14 - A private visit away from the glare of publicity and news cameras - to enjoy in peace the treasures of the cathedral and its crypt, and to speak with the bishop of this ancient town also known as 'the city of popes' because it gave birth to four Popes.
Anagni traces its history to 700,000 years B.C. and survives as a walled medieval town with well-preserved buildings and many art treasures. It is 65 kms. east-southeast of Rome and some 40 kms east of Castel Gandolfo.
Shortly after 9:30 yesterday morning, Mons. Georg Ratzinger, older brother of Pope Benedict XVI, arrived in Anagni for a private visit. As has become customary since his brother became Pope, Mons. Ratzinger, 85, spends the month of August with his brother in the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo. It was one of his rare solo outings.
"it was really a lightning visit, a bit over an hour in the Cathedral," said Mons. Lorenzo Loppa, Bishop of Anangi-Alatri. "He said he had always wanted dto see our cathedral [dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata, the Lady of the Annunciation], particularly its crypt. He expressed his appreciation and wonder, much more than the usual tourists when confronted with such beauty."
After the visit to the Cathedral, he also visited the diocesan seminary and then met briefly with the Mayor of Anagni, Carlo Noto.
"I found him to be a truly beautiful person," said Mons. Loppa, "A very simple and kindly man."
Despite the short notice of the visit, the mayor and most of the town's council members turned up to welcome the guest.
before leaving Anagni, the Pope's brother took time out to chat briefly with newsmen and wellwishers. He left Anagni shortly before noon, with the local police and state carabinieri escorting his car to the Anagni-Fiuggi exit towards Catel Gandolfo.