Catholic Fire

Judging by the sober appearance of this monastery in Rome, it's hard to imagine the vibrant treasures hidden within. Colorful frescoes adorn the vaulted ceilings of its Gothic Hall, transporting visitors to the 13th Century. ETTORE PIETRABISSA General Director, ARCUS "They discovered them about 10 years ago, when, for the first time, experts realized that underneath a coat of paint, added probably in the 16th Century, there were this frescoes, which we've been uncovering bit by bit.” After a decade in restoration, the splendor of these images resurfaced. The expressions of their characters, whether happy or serious, tell a story of a different, bygone era. ANDREINA DRAGHI Italian Ministry of Tourism "From the bottom up, they represent the months of the year and their respective crops. Then we have the arts, and further up, in the vaulted ceiling, the four seasons and the winds.” ETTORE PIETRABISSA General Director, ARCUS "This frescoes are slowly...

February 12, 2012 (Romereports.com) This is the monastery where Benedict XVI will retire once he is no longer Pope. It's a quiet residence inside Vatican walls, where the Pope will live a simple life, which will surely include reading and praying. At this point the monastery is still undergoing repairs. So after February 28th,  the Pope will go to Castel Gandolfo, a town that's about an hour away from Rome, before returning to the Vatican. The four level building is relatively simple. The only visual decoration are stained glass windows with sacred images, specifically designed for reflection and prayer. The monastery 'Mater Ecclesiae' was built under the pontificate of John Paul II. Built in the 90's the late Pope said he wanted contemplative nuns to have a place for retreat and prayer, inside Vatican Walls.