Pope Meets Pope: Francis Tells Benedict 'We're Brothers'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope Francis has flown in for lunch with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in a cliff-top castle outside Rome - the first such encounter for nearly 720 years.


The Argentine Pope flew in by helicopter from the Vatican to Castel Gandolfo, where his German predecessor is enjoying the first few weeks of his retirement following his shock decision to resign last month.

The Vatican said the two popes embraced on the helipad. Walking with a cane, Benedict looked frail compared to the robust 76-year-old Argentine.

Traveling from the helipad to the palazzo, Francis sat on the right-hand side of the car, the traditional place of the pope, while Benedict sat on the left.

When they went to pray in the chapel, Benedict offered the place of honour, a kneeler before the altar, to Francis, who declined, saying, "We are brothers, we pray together." The two then prayed together from the same pew.

The Vatican spokesman, Rev Federico Lombardi said he understands Benedict offered his pledge of obedience to the new pope, while Francis thanked Benedict for his ministry. » | Associated Press and Agence France-Presse | Saturday, March 23, 2013

Pope Meets Pope: Francis Arrives for Historic Talks with Benedict
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope Francis has flown in for lunch with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in a cliff-top castle outside Rome - the first such encounter for nearly 720 years.

The Argentine Pope has flown in by helicopter from the Vatican to Castel Gandolfo, where his German predecessor is enjoying the first few weeks of his retirement following his shock decision to resign last month.

Crowds gathered in the central square of Castel Gandolfo this morning to catch a glimpse of something that has not been seen in centuries: two Popes together. After Francis's 15 minute helicopter ride, the two Popes – both dressed in white vestments – will sit down for a meeting before having lunch together in the magnificent castle, which is perched on the edge of an escarpment that plunges down to a cobalt blue volcanic lake.

The Vatican spokesman promised a general comment about the meeting, but no detailed statement.

There has been enormous speculation about what the two men in white might have to say to one another after making history together. Benedict's unprecedented resignation paved the way for the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to call himself Francis after the 13th century friar who devoted himself to the poor, nature and working for peace. » | Nick Squires, in Rome, and agencies | Saturday, March 23, 2013

Castel Gandolfo: Die Sommerresidenz der Päpste
Zwischenzeitlicher Ruhesitz: Papst Benedikt XVI. wird zwei Monate in der Sommerresidenz in Castel Gandolfo verbringen, bis er in das Kloster Mater Ecclesiae einzieht.

Pope Benedict Arrives at Castel Gandolfo

Pope Benedict's Last Day: Pontiff Leaves the Vatican for the Final Time
The Pope has left the Vatican City for the final time, arriving at Castel Gandolfo after a half-hour journey by helicopter and motorcade.

Gespräch mit Papst Benedikt XVI in Castel Gandolfo
Gespräch mit Papst Benedikt XVI in Castel Gandolfo

A Rare Glimpse Inside the Remote Retreat Pope Benedict XVI Is Soon to Call Home

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The pontifical coats of arms are being buffed up with polish, a vineyard has been newly planted and the helipad has been swept.

Even the Papal herd of cows, prized for their milk and yoghurt, are contentedly munching on bales of hay.

All that staff at Castel Gandolfo now await is the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, who will fly to the castle on Thursday evening after he formally steps down as head of the Catholic Church.

The ageing, ailing Pontiff will spend the next two months here, using the magnificent palazzo as a place of prayer and spiritual retreat where he will map out his plans for his final days and reflect on his historic decision to resign.

It is certainly a place well suited to peaceful contemplation. Located an hour’s drive - or ten minutes’ helicopter ride - south of Rome, it is perched on the edge of a volcanic crater that plunges down to a lake fringed with woodland and olive groves.

Within the estate’s extensive grounds are formal gardens, giant holm oaks, fountains, fish ponds and the ruins of a villa built by Diocletian, the Roman emperor. » | Nick Squires, Castel Gandolfo | Saturday, February 23, 2013

Baseball Hat Benedict: Pope Sports a Very Casual Cap
Peak practice: Fashion-conscious Pope Benedict XVI walks in the garden of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday. Photograph: Mail Online
MAIL ONLINE: It is not the sort of get-up you'd expect the Pope to sport.

But Pope Benedict XVI broke with tradition by wearing a baseball cap as he went for a stroll around his summer residence on Sunday.

The 83-year-old even colour-coordinated his new cap, perhaps mindful of the need for it to blend in with his white robe and white hair.

Pope Benedict donned the trendy hat as he walked around his estate in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

The cap also served the more useful purpose of keeping the hot summer sun off the Pope's head. >>> Mail Foreign Service | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pope John Paul II 'Whipped Himself in Remorse for Sins'
THE TELEGRAPH: Pope John Paul II regularly whipped himself in a sign of "remorse for his sins", a nun has claimed.

Pope John Paul II. Photo: The Telegraph
The Pope, who died five years ago, is being considered for sainthood by the Catholic Church.

As part of the Vatican's investigation thousands of documents have been collected and examined by officials from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Among them is the testimony of Tobiana Sobodka, a Polish nun of the Sacred Heart of Jesus order, who worked for Pope John Paul in his private Vatican apartments and at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome.

Sister Sobodka said: "Several times he (Pope John Paul) would put himself through bodily penance.

"We would hear it – we were in the next room at Castel Gandolfo. You could hear the sound of the blows when he flagellate himself. He did it when he was still capable of moving on his own."

The flagellation is also confirmed by another bishop who has given testimony. Emery Kabongo was a secretary for Pope John Paul.

"He would punish himself and in particular just before he ordained bishops and priests," he said.

"I never actually saw it myself but several people told me about it."

Self flagellation is sometimes used by devoted Catholics as it reminds them of the whipping endured by Christ at the hands of the Romans before he was crucified. >>> Nick Pisa in Perugia | Monday, November 23, 2009

Papa: Con l’islam dialogo nel rispetto dignità persone
LAREPUBBLICA.IT: Il Papa auspica "un sincero impegno nel favorire un reciproco dialogo" fra cristiani e musulmani "nel rispetto della dignita di ogni persona umana". Lo afferma in un messaggio inviato in occasione dell'incontro a Castel Gandolfo tra cristiani e musulmani promosso dal Movimento dei Focolari sul tema "Amore e Misericordia nella Bibbia e nel Corano". Nel telegramma inviato tramite il cardinale Tarcisio Bertone, il Papa "invoca Dio altissimo e misericordioso perche' continui a guidare sempre cammino umanita' su via giustizia e pace". [Fonte: La Repubblica] 11.10.2008

TENDENZE ONLINE:
Islam; Benedetto XVI: Dialogo nel rispetto della dignita' umana >>> 11.10.2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Italy)