Benedict XVI planning summer stay at Castel Gandolfo

June 17, 2015

Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI will spend two weeks at Castel Gandolfo, and will make a rare appearance at a public ceremony, during the summer months.

The retired Pontiff, who has shunned publicity since he stepped down in 2013, will take part in the inauguration of a new section in the library of the Teutonic College in Rome. The August ceremony will mark the opening of a section dedicated to the retired Pontiff, including books by and about Pope Benedict and books that he donated.

Pope-emeritus Benedict will also preside at Mass for the Ratzinger schulerkreis, the annual meeting of his former students, in August.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, said that Pope Francis had invited his predecessor to make use of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, and Benedict had accepted. No dates for the stay have been announced. Pope Francis, who has chosen to remain in Rome through each summer of his pontificate, is not expected to join Benedict at Castel Gandolfo.

During his stay at the summer resident, the Pope-emeritus will receive an honorary doctorate from the music faculty at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow. The degree will make special note of his “special concern for the noble beauty of sacred music.”

 

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Further information:

• Benedict XVI's summer plans – rare public events and a visit to Castel Gandolfo (EWTN)