Benedict XVI returns to
the Vatican on May 1
by Andrea Tornielli
Translated from the Italian service of
April 25, 2013
In a few days, Benedict XVI returns to the Vatican which he left on February 28, the last day of his Pontificate, which ended a few hours later when his resignation took effect at 8:00 p.m.
Barring any unexpected changes, the return from Castel Handolfo will take place on May 1
[a name day for him, since it is the feast of St. Joseph as Patron Saint of Workers].
Everything is ready at the former Mater Ecclesiae monastery which has been renovated to be the emeritus Pope's retirement home. The residential part of the monastery is a four-story building with common rooms and 12 monastic cells, and a two-story annex with the chapel, cloisters, library, and workrooms.
The monastery has an evergreen hedge and a formidable gate to delimit the cloistered area. It has a large garden where peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and cabbages are grown, and a small orchard of lemon and orange trees.
Benedict XVI will be moving in with his former 'pontifical family' from the Vatican - the four Memores Domini who run his household and have other assorted duties, and his private secretary, Mons. Georg Gaenswein.
[The other private secretary, Mons. Alfred Xuereb, is now private secretary to Pope Francis.]
A new member of the 'family' is the German deacon who was hired as a male assistant for the former Pope in the daytime when Mons. Gaenswein is at work as Prefect of the Pontifical Household. For the past two months, the latter has been commuting to work from Castel Gandolfo daily.
And obviously, the emeritus Pope's brother, Mons, Georg Ratzinger, will have a room when he comes to visit from Regensburg.
The presence of Benedict XVI at the Vatican will also facilitate a visit now and then from Pope Francis.
Papa Ratzinger's physical frailty was evident in the video and photos released after Pope Francis visited him in Castel Gandolfo last March 23. But Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, has denied that the emeritus Pope is suffering from any specific illness other than old age. He turned 86 on April 19.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 26/04/2013 11:57]