Vatican offers token of
gratitude to medical staff for its work during pandemic
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| Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo |
The Vatican Museums and the Apostolic Palace and Gardens of
the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo open their doors free of charge to all
doctors, nurses and other medical staff in a sign of gratitude for their work
on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Vatican News
As Holy See authorities ease restrictions put in place to
curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vatican Museums and the Gardens
of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo reopen their doors to welcome back
the public after more than two long months of closure.
In doing so, they have decided to thank all doctors, nurses
and medical personnel for the work they have been carrying out in public and
private health facilities across Italy.
With over 233,000 reported infections and more than 33,500
deaths from Covid-19, Italy is one of the hardest-hit nations in the world.
Throughout the months of lockdown, Pope Francis never tired
of thanking all medical personnel for their invaluable work, carried out at the
risk of their lives, praying for them and for their families incessantly.
So, as a sign of gratitude, the Governorate of Vatican City
State has announced that for one week, all medical personnel will have free
access to the Vatican Museums and for two weekends to the complex of the Papal
Villas of Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills just outside Rome.
A statement says the initiative will be valid at the Museums
from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 June, while the Pontifical Villas will welcome health
workers on the weekend of the 6 and 7 June, and again on the following one.
The Museums were opened to the general public on 1 June; the
Pontifical Villas and Gardens are due to open on 6 June.
Of course, all visitors are requested to observe a series of
modalities, procedures and rules to ensure the safest conditions for all.
The Museums
A brief communiqué released by the Vatican Museums reads “We
want, in this way, to join the universal feeling of gratitude for health care
staff. We do so with a simple gesture that is full of meaning and inspired by
the conviction that Art and Medicine are unified by a higher purpose: to take
care of the human person, in its entirety.”
The Apostolic Palace and Pontifical Villas
Built at the request of Pope Urban VIII on the remains of
the Castrum Gandulphorum, a feudal castle belonging to the Gandolfi
and Savelli family, the Apostolic Palace acquired its current appearance in
1660 due to the intervention of Pope Alexander VII.
The Pontifical Villas, where fresh dairy and agricultural
products continue to be produced, consist of three different parts: The
Gardens of the Moor, which are located at the back
of the Apostolic Palace and are the oldest part of the residence as they
already existed as part of Cardinal Visconti’s old villa; Villa
Cybo, which was built by Cardinal Camillo Cybo and was annexed to the
complex when Pope Clement XIV bought it from the Dukes of Modena in 1774;
and, Villa Barberini, which was built by Pope Urban VIII’s nephew.
The “Italian-style” gardens surrounding it are especially beautiful.
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