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Visitors who enter the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo for the first time, cannot possibly guess that they are standing on the remarkable remains of one of the most famous villas of antiquity, the Albanum Domitiani, the majestic country residence of Emperor Domitian (81-96 A.D.), which stretched across an area of 14 square kilometres, from the Appian Way to and including, Lake Albano. The Pontifical Villas also cover the ruins of the central part of the residence, which according to renowned scholars, also included the Arx Albana,located at the far end of the hill of Castel Gandolfo, where the Pontifical Palace now stands, once the heart of the ancient city, Albalonga.
Domitian’s Villa was located on the western side of the hill, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The slope had been cut into three large terraces leading towards the sea. The first terrace, the highest one, was where the servants lived. It had bathrooms and cisterns that were fed by the springs of Palazzolo – on the opposite side of the lake – via three aqueducts, partly still in existence, that supplied water to the Pontifical Villa and the residents of Castel Gandolfo. The middle terrace was supported by a massive substructionwall,interrupted by four nymphae with an alternating rectangular and semicircular pattern. It was the site of the imperial palace and the theatre. The lower terrace housed the cryptoporticus, the large covered corridor of the Emperor which was originally 300 metres long. This terrace split further into several lower terraces, mostly composed of gardens. The hippodrome was located on one of these terraces.
Domitian, the “bald Nero”, as Giovenale referred to him, chose this residence, so abundant in natural beauty, lavish buildings and works of art, and organized to handle the winter, as his almost permanent home.
When Domitian died, the Villa was inherited by his successors who preferred to live elsewhere. Hadrian (117-138) spent a brief period there as he waited for his Villa near Tivoli to be completed, and Mark Aurelius (161-180) took refuge there for a few days during the rebellion of 175. Some years later, Septimius Severus (193-211) settled castras of his most faithful Parthian legionnaires in the far southern part of the Villa, where they established a camp with their families.
The Imperial Villa underwent a period of decline as its monuments, were systematically stripped of their works of art and precious ornamentation, due to the demand for marble and bricks for new constructions of homes for the early settlers of Albano. Another settlement, composed mainly of farmers, was established north of the Villa on the ridges of the lake, towards “Cucuruttus” (what is now Montecucco), which much later became today’s Castel Gandolfo.
Emperor Constantine (306-337), who had removed the turbulent Parthian Legionnaires and their families, from the territory,conferred on the Basilica of St John the Baptist, today the Cathedral of Albano, the “possessio Tiberii Caesaris”: Domitian’s villa.
With the exception of some census records and patrimonial deeds that refer to these lands, there is no historical documentationof the area until the 12th century. Meanwhile, the spoliation of marble and works of art for other constructions continued for a long time. In the 14th century, the area was regularly plundered for marble needed for the construction of the Duomo of Orvieto.
Around 1200, the Gandolfi family of Genoa built their family castle on the hill, perhaps over the ruins of the ancient city of Albalonga, giving the name to today’s Castel Gandolfo. The cliff was a square fortress at the top of the hill, with tall crenelated walls and a small courtyard that still exists. It was surrounded by a mighty bastion that made it almost impregnable. A few decades later, it became the property of the Savelli family, who through ups and downs, kept it for three centuries.
In 1596, during the Pontificate of Clement VIII Aldobrandini (1592-1605), the Apostolic Chamber took possession of Castel Gandolfo and of Rocca Priora, with the Bull known as Congregazione dei Baroni, removing them from the Savelli family, who had refused to pay a debt of 150,000 ecus (currency). When part of the debt was later paid, Rocca Priora was returned to the Savelli family, but Castel Gandolfo was declared an inalienable patrimony of the Holy See and definitively incorporated with a consistorial decree, dated 27 May 1604, to the temporal domain of the Church.
At the request of the community of Castel Gandolfo, Paul V Borghese (1605-1621), provided the town and the rocca with abundant water by restoring the aqueduct that carried water from the Malafitto springs, today’s Palazzolo. Moreover, he improved the health of the area, by reclaiming the marshlands around Lake Turno, as recalled by a plaque in front of the Pontifical Palace.
Urban VIII Barberini (1623-1644), who had enjoyed his stays at Castel Gandolfo when he was Cardinal, was the first Pope to spend his holidays at the residence, in the spring of 1626, after the completion of refurbishment and extension works to the palace. The works had been entrusted to Carlo Maderno, who was assisted by architects, Bartolomeo Breccioli and Domenico Castelli. An additional wing facing the sea was added to the palace and the left section of the current facade, leading to the front entrance gate. A modest-sized garden with paths bordered by myrtle hedges was planted inside the palace (Garden of the Moor), which still exists today true to its original design. Simone Lagi, from Florence, was commissioned to decorate the private chapel, the adjacent oratory and the sacristy with frescoes. Urban VIII also added two evocative tree-lined streets known as “Galleria di sopra” and “Galleria di sotto” that flank Villa Barberini and connect Castel Gandolfo to Albano.
Alexander VII Chigi (1655-1667) completed the construction of the Pontifical Palace with a new facade, on the square and a wing stretching towards the sea, with a large gallery, designed by Bernini.
With the aim of providing the property with space that was more suitable to walks, given the insufficiency of the small garden of Urban VIII, Clement XIV Ganganelli (1769-1774) expanded the residence by acquiring the adjacent Villa Cybo. In 1717, when he was still Auditor General of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Camillo Cybo had the architect, Francesco Fontana, surrender a building he had built for himself, so he could use it as his “noble home and villa” He later acquired a plot of land of about three hectares in front of the construction site, adjoining on top with the borgo of Castel Gandolfo and below towards the sea through the “Galleria di sotto”. He transformed it into a splendid garden, richly adorned with precious marbles, statues and fountains. Unfortunately, this sumptuous Villa had a big flaw: the palace and the garden were separated by a public road, “Galleria di sotto”. The Cardinal had plans to connect them through an overpass on the main floor of the garden, but the project never materialized. We do not know whether it was due to a lack of time or money. After the death of Cardinal Cybo in 1743, the Villa passed on to his heirs, who sold it to the Duke of Bracciano, Livio Odescalchi. Clement XIV later acquired it for the same price of 18,000 ecus.
With the end of the Papal States in 1870, the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo went through a period of decline and oblivion that lasted 60 years. In fact, even though the Law of the Guarentigie had ensured that the Palace of Castel Gandolfo “with all its amenities and jurisdiction” enjoyed the same immunity as the Vatican and the Lateran, after the Capture of Rome, the Popes no longer set foot outside Vatican.
It was not until the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy (1929), which put an end to the thorny “Roman Question”, that Castel Gandolfo became a papal summer residence once again. During the negotiations, the possibility of making Villa Farnese of Caprarola or Villa Doria Pamphilj on the Janiculum Hill, papal residences too, was also explored. However, in the end, historical tradition prevailed. The expansion of the area that comprises today’s Pontifical Villas was completed with the acquisition of the Villa Barberini complex, where newly designed gardens were installed, among them, the Belvedere which deserves special mention. The Villa had been built by Taddeo Barberini, the nephew of Urban XVIII, who had acquired lands and vineyards in 1628, that corresponded to the central terrace of the Domitian residence. In 1631, he had also acquired the property of Msgr. Scipione Visconti, which included a small building that was later transformed and expanded, probably on the basis of a design of Bernini. Much later, at the beginning of the following century, an elegant fence was built in front of the Palace, ingeniously placed to accommodate the passage of cumbersome equipment, despite the narrow space.
After 1929, major reinforcement and renovation works were made to the Pontifical Palace, in order to make it more suitable to its new demands, and to connect the three villas (Garden of the Moor, Villa Cybo and Villa Barberini) by an overpass, linking the Barberini estate with Villa Cybo and with the loggia that leads to the Palace above the public road, on the Arch of the Ancient Roman Gate.
THE POPES AT CASTEL GANDOLFO
In the summer of 1623, Cardinal Maffeo Barberini was elected Pope and took the name of Urban VIII (1623-1644). Many years earlier, the Cardinal had chosen Castel Gandolfo as his holiday destination, both because of its stunning views and location, and because he had long considered it to be the healthiest area in the Castelli Romani. A modest home was built close to the castle’s walls on the top floor of a fortified tower that still today, overlooks the Roman Gate. The stables are still in existence, beyond the walls, close to the tower. It was thus natural that after his election, Urban VIII should choose Castel Gandolfo as his summer residence. He decided to renovate the old Gandolfi-Savelli citadel, “to ensure that popes had the convenience of spending the summer in their own palaces, rather than having to stay in other people’s homes”, as his biographer Andrea Nicoletti wrote. After spending his holidays in Frascati for two years as the guest of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, on 10 May 1626, Urban VIII finally set the date for his departure on his first summer holiday at Castel Gandolfo.
“After 1626, Urban VIII returned to the Villa faithfully for another 11 years, twice a year… in April or more often in May, and a second time in October”, for a duration of two to three weeks. “He had a methodical day and was lacking in nothing, during times of leisure, the company of intellectuals and learned people…Above all he loved to take walks which, especially in the early years, he alternated with long horse rides in the woods…During his holidays, to avoid delays in governing, Urban VIII continued to receive in audience, ministers and ambassadors” (from Emilio Bonomelli, ibid p. 52). After an illness in 1637 which raised fears for his life, Urban VIII definitively put an end to his holidays at the Villa he dearly loved, because both he and his doctors had become convinced that Rome’s air would be healthier.
The successor of Urban VIII, Innocent X Pamphilj (1644-1655) never went to Castel Gandolfo. During his 10-year Pontificate, he rarely left Rome.
The same was not true for Alexander VII Chigi (1655-1667), who regularly holidayed at Castel Gandolfo twice a year, in the spring and in autumn, for between 20 days and one month. Pope Chigi was particularly susceptible to the beauty of the lake and the surrounding green landscape, which were conducive to meditation and silence. He often went on long walks along paths lined with ilex and chestnut trees. He also enjoyed trips to the lake on a brigantine that had been brought especially to Castel Gandolfo from Ripa Grande. Alexander VII commissioned Sernini with the construction of the parish Church of Castel Gandolfo, that was dedicated to Saint Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valencia, whom he had canonized in 1658. The crypt was dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
None of Pope Chigi’s successors ever left Rome for the summer residence over the next 44 years. The only exception was Innocent XII Pignatelli (1691-1700), who spent one night at the castle on 27 April 1697, on the occasion of a trip to Anzio and Nettuno, leaving the following morning. When he first arrived in the square on a foggy and rainy night, he found it so gloomy that he never returned.
Clement XI Albani (1700-1721) spent the first nine years of his pontificate without ever leaving Rome. However, after a serious illness in the summer of 1709, he went to Castel Gandolfo in May of 1710 at his doctors’ advice. Having seen the positive effects, he returned for six years until 1715. During his first stay, Pope Albani decreed a Rescriptum by which he conferred on Castel Gandolfo the title of “Villa Pontificia”. This recognition which lasted until the end of the Papal States, meant that the citizens of Castel Gandolfo had the privilege of no longer being under the local administration and judiciary jurisdiction, instead being under the special administration and jurisdiction of the Prefect of the Apostolic Palace and Maggiordomo. During his time at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Albani had great familiarity with the locals especially the poor, with whom he was very generous. Clement XI is responsible for renovation works to the Palace that followed the long period of decline, and for the embellishments made to the town, which had grown considerably. A plaque at the beginning of Castel Gandolfo’s main street recalls the projects carried out by the Pope for the benefit of the town and people.
Pope Albani’s successors did not visit the Pontifical Villa for 25 years. The Palace reopened in June of 1741 to welcome Pope Benedict XIV Lambertini (1740-1758) who had been elected the previous summer. He “was one of the Pontiffs who was most fond of Castel Gandolfo, where, as they say, his heart was lightened” (Emilio Bonomelli, I Papi in Campagna p. 111). His holidays were marked by simplicity, unlike the pomp of his predecessors: “I don’t want any headaches. We will have them when we are back in Rome”, he used to say in response to the insistent and often inopportune requests for audiences and visits that were presented to him. During his pontificate, he did not fail to make artistic improvements to the Palace. Among the main art works are the decorations made to the Alexander VII gallery by Pier Leone Ghezzi, with airy tempera paintings of panoramic views of the Alban Hills, brightened by rustic scenes, and the new Loggia delle Benedizioni, built in 1749, with the beautiful clock above it.
Clement XIII Rezzonico (1758-1769), who succeeded Pope Lambertini in 1758, went to stay at Castel Gandolfo the year after he was elected. His doctors’ advice to take a break had been so beneficial, that he returned for six years, for periods of one month, until 1765. Only the ever growing preoccupations of his pontificate prevented him from returning as much as he would have wanted. His name remains linked with precious furnishings and works of art, with which he enriched the parish church and the private chapel of the Palace. A plaque on the Roman Gate records the projects carried out by the Pope to extend and improve the access road.
His successor, Clement XIV Ganganelli (1769-1774) was Pope for less than five years, during which he spent five autumns on holiday at Castel Gandolfo. He was lively and exuberant by nature with a joyful and witty temperament and sought exercise and amusement. When he was at Castel Gandolfo, “he did not limit himself to short walks through the famous galleries and villas. Instead, he often left the Palace on his horse…. in a white travelling outfit with white riding boots and a white tricorn” (ibid, p. 149). And once he had left the inhabited part of town behind him, he would break into a gallop so fast that none of his escorts could keep up with him. However, in 1771, after falling from his horse twice and injuring his shoulder, his family convinced him to give up his favourite pass time for good. In 1773, he extended the pontifical residence by acquiring the adjacent Villa Cybo.
Throughout the 25 years of his pontificate, Pius VI Braschi, who was elected in 1775, never stayed at the summer residence. During his papacy, on 27 February 1798, Castel Gandolfo was the scene of a bloody clash between the residents of the Castelli Romani (in particular from Castel Gandolfo, Albano and Veletri) who were loyal to the Pope, and the troops of Joachim Murat. After a hard fight, the rebels took refuge in the Pontifical Palace, which was shot by canons and plundered by the French troops.
On 14 March 1800, Pius VII Chiaramonti (1800-1823) was elected in Venice. In 1803, he reopened the Palace of Castel Gandolfo after necessary restoration works had been carried out and the furniture had been replaced. He returned there again in 1804 and in 1805, until the Napoleonic storm, the invasion of the Papal States and the imprisonment of the Pope, made a papal stay impossible. After he was freed on 17 March 1814, and Napoleon had abdicated, in October of that year, Pope Chiaramonti was finally able to resume his autumn holidays at Castel Gandolfo, which were probably the only times of peace he could enjoy in the harrowing events of his pontificate.
Pope Leo XII Della Genga (1823-1829) visited Castel Gandolfo only once for one day on 21 October 1824, as a guest of the Capuchins of Albano. However, although he visited the Church in the square, he did not set foot in the papal residence, which he was not fond of.
His successor, Pius VIII Castiglioni (1829-1830), also never visited the papal residence during his brief 20-month long pontificate.
In 1831, Gregory XVI Cappellari (1831-1846) was elected Pope. His holidays at the Villa, which were almost always in October, were rather assiduous and marked by the simplicity of a Camaldolese monk. During one of his stays in 1845, Pope Cappellari visited the Jesuit College in Tivoli, where he saw one of the first daguerreotypes, and was so intrigued that he posed for a photograph. With great interest he also observed early trials with electric illumination and a small model of a steam boat.
Pius IX Mastai Ferretti (1846-1878) stayed at Castel Gandolfo for short, healthy holidays in various seasons, alternating them with stays at the Port of Anzio. He was not particularly inclined to life in the country, and preferred the city where he could move quite effortlessly. Older residents cherished memories of Pope Mastai as a man of great simplicity who went to the town on foot, entered the homes of the borgo and often, having noted food cooking, he would lift the lid of the pot to see if there was enough food. And if there wasn’t, he would make donations of money. Pius IX granted audiences at Castel Gandolfo, more generously than any of his predecessors, and in his last years, as travel became increasingly simpler, an ever growing number of foreign pilgrims began to visit the town. He spent his last holiday at the Villa between 28 and 31 May of 1869, a journey he made because he wished to venerate the miraculous crucifix of Nemi on its second centenary. It was close to the end of the Papal States, which fell when Porta Pia was captured on 20 September 1870.
Even if after 1870 and until the Conciliation, the Popes never left the Vatican, this did not end their affection for the town of Castel Gandolfo. After 1870, Pius IX had welcomed two cloistered communities to the Palace: the Basilian Nuns from Russian Poland and the Poor Clares, who had been forced to leave their convent in Albano due to the confiscation of Church properties. Pope Leo XIII Pecci (1878-1903) who had donated two artistic candelabra lights for the sagrato of the parish church, fondly referred to the Leo IV Tower in the Vatican, where he sometimes stayed in the summer, as “little Castel Gandolfo”. Pius X Sarto (1903-1914) and Benedict XV Della Chiesa (1914-1922) had two buildings constructed that still bear their name, to house the poorer residents of the town. Pius X also had an apartment built in the Palace for the summer visits of his Secretary of State, Cardinal Raffaele Merry del Val, who stayed there for about one month between August and September, from 1904 to 1907.
Pius XI Ratti (1922-1939) can be considered the first pope in modern times to have spent his holidays at Castel Gandolfo. After indispensable renovation works to the ancient residence were completed in a short period of time, he began to stay there for two months a year. Between 1934 and 1938, his stays had increased to six months per year. Pope Pius XI had a new private chapel built in the papal apartment in which he placed a reproduction of a painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a gift from the Bishops of Poland. He also had two side walls frescoed by the painter, Rosen from Lviv, depicting two ancient and modern events in Poland’s history: on one side, Czestochowa’s resistance against the Swedes of Gustaf Adolf in 1655; on the other, Warsaw’s victory against the Bolsheviks on 15 August 1920, referred to as the “Miracle of the Vistula”. Pope Pius had spent the years between 1918 and 1921 in Poland, first as a Visitator and later as Apostolic Nuncio. On the eve of his earthly days, it was from Castel Gandolfo that the Pope repeatedly denounced the ominous doctrine of racial nationalism, culminating in his memorable radio message in 29 September 1938, to offer his life in exchange for peace.
Pius XII Pacelli (1939-1958) went to Castel Gandolfo during the first year of his pontificate. In July, he decreed his first Encyclical, Summi Pontificatus from there. And it was from there that on 24 August 1939, he broadcast his desperate appeal to nations to end the conflict. “The danger is imminent but there is still time. Nothing is lost with peace: all may be lost with war”. Involved in a tireless work of peace, the Pope did not return to Castel Gandolfo during the war, and the residence became a reference point and safe refuge for the locals. After the events that followed 8 September 1943, the panic-stricken residents of Castel Gandolfo and neighbouring towns took refuge in the Pontifical Villas, where they had the privilege of extraterritoriality, until calm was restored. However, on 22 January 1944, after the landings at Anzio, since the entire area had become a war front, the residents of Castel Gandolfo and neighbouring areas took refuge once again in the Pontifical Villas. An estimated 12,000 people took refuge there during that sad period, and they stayed until the liberation of Rome on 4 June. The papal apartment was reserved for women who were about to deliver and some 40 babies were born there. Unfortunately, there were many victims from the bombings that occurred on the border with the Villa. On first February of that year, the Convents of the poor Clares and of the Basilians were destroyed and 18 Sisters died. On 10 February, the same happened to the College of Propaganda Fide with more than 500 dead and many wounded.
It was not until 22 August 1946 that the Pope resumed his summer holidays at Castel Gandolfo, which continued on a regular basis every year until 1958, for periods lasting up to five months. With the exception of the war years, one could say that Pope Pacelli spent almost one third of his pontificate at Castel Gandolfo. And it was there that on 9 October 1958, he ended his earthly existence. He was the first Pope to pass away in Castel Gandolfo.
Pope John XXIII Roncalli (1958-1963) was elected on 28 October. A few days later, he went to Castel Gandolfo. A plaque inside the parish church recalls the generosity of the Pope who wanted to restore the church and the crypt below it to their original beauty. Pope John reinstated two traditions at Castel Gandolfo: the recitation of the Angelus in the palace courtyard on Sunday mornings and the celebration of Holy Mass in the parish during the Feast of the Assumption.
A few weeks after his election on 21 June, Paul VI Montini (1963-1978) began his summer stay at Castel Gandolfo on 5 August and he returned every year from mid-July to mid-September. His introverted and reserved nature did not stop him from establishing a relationship of affectionate cordiality and paternal concern with the residents of Castel Gandolfo and of the Villas. He himself described his days at the castle during the Angelus of 13 August 1972: “We too enjoy this God-given gift, by breathing the fresh air, admiring the beauty of our natural surroundings... and by seeking here to restore our lack of energy, which is never enough and is now even somewhat depleted”.
The Holy Year of 1975, which saw a large number of pilgrims flock to Rome, prompted the Pope to return to the Vatican on Wednesdays for General Audiences. Thus, began weekly journeys by helicopter, allowing the Pope to reach the Vatican quickly, without being affected by the congested road traffic of Via Appia. Paul VI had many works accomplished for the people of Castel Gandolfo, such as the modern pontifical elementary school which now bears his name, the Church of Saint Paul with additional buildings for pastoral work in the densely populated neighbourhood that had arisen just below Via Appia, and the Church of Our Lady of the Lake. On 14 July 1978, the Pope moved to Castel Gandolfo renewing each year the hope that the healthy fresh air would continue to restore his health. But on 6 August, high fever prevented him from appearing on the balcony of the Palace for the Angelus. By evening, he had surrendered his soul to God.
John Paul I Luciani was elected on 26 August 1978 and never had the opportunity to visit Castel Gandolfo during his brief Pontificate lasting only 33 days.
On Sunday afternoon of 8 October, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow, who was in Rome for the conclave, went to the Pontifical Villa to spend some peaceful days. Eight days later in the afternoon of 16 October 1978, the people of Rome and pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter’s Square after seeing the white smoke, welcomed the first Polish Pope in history. He took on the name John Paul II. It did not take long for him to go to Castel Gandolfo. The town had been in mourning for too long after the death of two pontiffs in less than two months. When he arrived at Castel Gandolfo in the afternoon of 25 October, he was welcomed enthusiastically by the residents, whom he immediately addressed as “fellow citizens”.
Since then, breaking with hundreds of years of tradition, papal visits to Castel Gandolfo are no longer limited to the summer season, but occur throughout the year, even if only for a few days. We can very well say that Castel Gandolfo has become the second residence of the popes.
In the afternoon of 5 May 2005, a few days after his election on 19 April, Benedict XVI travelled to Castel Gandolfo by helicopter for his first visit to the Apostolic Palace and Pontifical Villas.
Later, he greeted the large number of local residents who had gathered to welcome him with untold enthusiasm, from the balcony overlooking Castel Gandolfo.
On 28 July, the Holy Father spent his first summer holiday at this ancient residence of the popes. He stayed there until 28 September, with a brief interruption between 18 and 21 August, to travel to Cologne to participate in the 20th World Youth Day.
Resuming the tradition established by the Holy Father, John Paul II, in the afternoon of 16 April 2006, Pope Benedict travelled to Castel Gandolfo for a short period of rest which lasted until Friday, 21 April.
The summer holiday began on 28 July and lasted until 4 October. On 9 September he left Castel Gandolfo for an Apostolic Journey to Bavaria, returning to his residence on 14 September. On 8 April 2007, Easter Sunday, the Holy Father returned to Castel Gandolfo for a brief stay that lasted until 13 April, returning again on 14 May, after his Apostolic Journey to Brazil, staying until Friday, 18 May.
He arrived at Castel Gandolfo on 7 July 2011, for his summer holiday.
On the morning of 11 February 2013, Benedict had called an Ordinary Public Consistory at the Vatican for the canonization of the Martyrs of Otranto and two Blesseds. Unexpectedly, he announced his resignation from the Ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Peter, with effect at 8:00 p.m. on 28 February 2013.
The Director of the Pontifical Villas was told in private that Benedict XVI would move to Castel Gandolfo on 28 February, while he waited for a place to be organized for him at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.
In the afternoon of 28 February, Benedict XVI arrived at Gandolfo and immediately appeared on the balcony to greet the many faithful who had gathered there. He then returned to his apartment. At 8:00 p.m., before a brightly lit square filled with people who had come to witness such a special and significant historical event, the Palace’s Gates were shut. At the same time, the flag above the Palace that was raised when a pope was in residence, was lowered in the first visible sign of the beginning of the sede vacante. The Pope emeritus remained at the residence until 2 May, when he returned to Rome.
On 13 March 2013, Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope, choosing the name Francis.
Pope Francis’ first visit to Castel Gandolfo took place late in the morning on 23 March 2013. Upon his arrival at the heliport of the Pontifical Villas, he was received by the Pope emeritus, the Bishop of Albano and the Director of the Villas.
Pope Francis and the Pope emeritus immediately went to the Palace for a meeting and lunch. It was truly a first in history to see the Holy Father and his predecessor sitting side by side in the same car. The sole reason behind the meeting was a fraternal and cordial encounter between the Holy Father and the Pope emeritus. The residents were anxiously awaiting Pope Francis’ return to Castel Gandolfo, to have the joy of welcoming him and greeting him personally.
Finally, on Sunday, 14 July, Pope Francis arrived at the Palace in the morning. He was greeted in the Palace courtyard by the Bishop and staff members of the Bishops curia, the staff of the Pontifical Villas who were introduced to him by the Director, the Mayor of Castel Gandolfo and the municipal council, the parish priest and his Salesian confrères and the Pie Filippini teachers. At noon, the Pope prayed the Angelus with a few thousand people and then visited the Monastery of the Poor Clares, in the area of the Pontifical Villas located on the border with Albano Laziale, and after that the adjacent Jesuit-run Specola Vaticana.
The Holy Father returned to Castel Gandolfo on 15 August to honour the tradition established by John XXIII to celebrate Mass in the parish church of Castel Gandolfo on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A Mass was celebrated for the occasion in Castel Gandolfo’s Square, because the church would not have been able to welcome the thousands of people present. After Mass, the Pope visited the Church and was welcomed by the Bishop and the parish priest. Pope Francis is ever alive and present in all the hearts of Castel Gandolfo’s residents, who follow him with affection and support him with their prayers.
The Christmas atmosphere has also reached the Pontifical Palace of Castel Gandolfo, brightening it up with the climate of the season’s festivities. as indicated by a series of events that took place on Tuesday morning, 10 December, including the inauguration of a nativity scene and the lighting of a Christmas tree.
The beautiful tapestry, “The Stoning of Saint Stephen”, by Raffaello Sanzio, will be on display in the Sala dei Papi (Hall of Popes) of Castel Gandolfo’s Pontifical Palace, while the painting, “The Adoration of the Child”, by Domenico Bigordi, known as Ghirlandaio, will be on display in the Palace’s lower floor, along with four paintings of the Nativity by Masters of the 15th century.
Ninety years since their construction, the astronomical domes of the Pontifical Palace of Castel Gandolfo will be open to visitors for the first time ever. Visitors will be able to see the Vatican Observatory’s two perfectly functioning domes: the “major dome”, which has a diameter of 8.5 meters, and is equipped with a Visual Telescope for the observation of stars and planets; and the “minor dome”, which has a diameter of 8 metres and a Double Astrograph, used for photographic surveys of the sky and of the position of the stars. A restricted number of visitors wil
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