Papal apartments at Castel Gandolfo open to the public
(Vatican Radio) The Papal
residence at Castel Gandolfo has long been known as the summer retreat of
Popes. But now in an historic first the Papal apartments will be open to the
public from October 22nd.
The Papal residence at Castel
Gandolfo in the Roman hills has been offering Pope’s down through the centuries
rest and relaxation during the summer months from the official duties of
office.
The last Pope to reside here
was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, but now Pope Francis has given permission for
the papal apartments themselves to be open to the public. This follows the
success of visits to the Villa Barberini Gardens and the Portrait Gallery of
the Popes.
For tourists and those
passionate about Church art and history, it’s a chance to walk in the footsteps
of Pontiffs. There is the Swiss Hall, and the Throne Room with their impressive
lakeside view. But it's the Pope’s reserved quarters that evokes the most
interest and gives a sense that one is imposing on a very private space. On the
desk in the Pope’s private study there is still a pencil and eraser left
by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and the Pope’s bedroom gives an air of
elegance without being ostentatious. Then there is the private Chapel which
houses a reproduction of the icon of the Madonna of Czestochowa.
So with this opening, will
the summer retreat continue to be a Papal residence? Sandro Barbagallo Curator
of Collections of the Vatican Museums says like Pope Francis, not all Popes
lived here. He says, “from this point of view the choice of Pope Francis is his
personal decision, we can’t do anything but accept it and anyway this choice
doesn’t in anyway mean the end of Castel Gandolfo as a summer residence.”
In honour of this historic
inauguration musicians came all the way from the Guangzhou Opera House in China
to perform popular Chinese songs entitled “beauty unites us”, and another
cultural element to this event.
Down the road, the residents
in the town of Castel Gandolfo take pride in the fact that Popes down through
the years have chosen to come here for their summer break. So what do they
think of this new opening. Stefano, a barman in the local café says, “it’s an
important historical event because it’s true it shows, let’s say, the new
opening to the public of the Pope’s residence, but it also demonstrates an end
for now of the Holy Father at Castel Gandolfo and we are very sorry about
that.”
Who knows whether a future
Pope will decide to reside here again, but until then visitors can enjoy and be
inspired by the beauty of this residence fit for a Pope.
The Papal apartments at the
Pontifical residence at Castel Gandolfo will be open from October 22.
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