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Skriven 2005-05-06 08:23:32 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

BENEDICT XVI MAKES HIS FIRST VISIT TO CASTELGANDOLFO

VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2005 (VIS) - At 3:30 p.m. today, Solemnity of the
Ascension of the Lord, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled by helicopter to
the town of Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, on his first visit to the pontifical
villas where Popes traditionally spend the summer months. He was accompanied by
Archbishops Leonardo Sandri and James Harvey, respectively substitute of the
Secretariat of State and prefect of the Pontifical Household.

On his arrival at Castelgandolfo, the Pope was received by Cardinal Secretary
of State Angelo Sodano, Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, the diocese in
which Castelgandolfo is located, Saverio Petrillo, director of the pontifical
villas, and by Maurizio Colacchi, mayor of the town. After meeting a group of
representatives from the local religious communities - Salesians of the local
parish, Jesuits of the Specola (the Vatican Observatory at Castelgandolfo), and
Filippini Religious Teachers - the Pope greeted the people who work in the
pontifical villas and then visited the Apostolic Palace.

At 5 p.m., the Pope appeared at the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace.
Addressing the people gathered in the square below, he said, "I have come today
to meet you for the first time, dear friends of Castelgandolfo. Thank you for
your presence and for your cordiality. On this visit I wish to make contact
with the apostolic palace and the pontifical villas where, God willing, it is
my intention to spend the summer months, just as my venerated predecessors did.
This is therefore the first of many appointments that I hope to have with you
in this beautiful town of yours."

Benedict XVI then greeted Cardinal Angelo Sodano and the religious and civil
authorities present, extending his greetings and "cordial wishes for serenity
and peace" to all residents of both Castelgandolfo, "which always welcomes
tourists and pilgrims," and of the surrounding hill towns.

After visiting the gardens, at 7.30 p.m. he returned to the Vatican by
helicopter.
.../VISIT POPE CASTELGANDOLFO/... VIS 050506 (330)

SUMMARY

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