Catholic Fire

February 28, 2013. (Romereports.com)   As a retired Pope, this is where Benedict XVI will live for about two months.  It's the town of Castel Gandolfo, about 25 miles southeast of Rome.  The property includes the Papal Palace, two convents, one school, farms, gardens and the Vatican Observatory.   Only about 8,000 people live here and the Pope's summer residence is a key part of the town. In fact just a few feet away from the Papal Palace is this local ice cream shop, where John Paul II and Benedict XVI have ordered from. STEFANO VERUSI Gelateria Carosi “Benedict XVI would order ice cream for some of his visitors. Personally he liked the 'Fior de Latte' flavor and also vanilla.” Benedict XVI spent his first summer here as Pope,  back in 2005 to avoid Rome's intense summer heat. He  would spend those months studying, reading and even writing books. The tradition itself goes back generations. The first Pope to use the summer residence in Castel Gan...

I am blessed to have personally met Pope Benedict on my pilgrimage to Rome in February, 2006 . If you asked him if he remembered me, I would be amazed, as there were approximately 1800 people in his audience that day – although it was considered to be a “private” audience with the Community of St. John. As an oblate with the Community, I was part of that large “private” audience, who were also celebrating the 30 th anniversary of the founder of the Community of St. John – Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe. While this day may be a blur in the mind of Pope Benedict today, it is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life. We were up at the crack of dawn and entered St. Peter’s Basilica three hours early to get the best possible view of the Holy Father. However, my view seemed to be slightly hindered by a pillar. I tilted my head from side to side as I stretched my upper body, hoping just to catch a glimpse of our new pope. I could see the papal chair, but that darn pillar wa...

February 14, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Pope met for the last time with the priests from Rome during a memorable gathering where he improvised several remarks and memories about the Second Vatican Council.   The Pope was welcomed with great applause. He thanked the priests for their support and told them that he would always be close to them. BENEDICT XVI “Even though I will retire in prayer, I am sure you all will always be close to me, although I will remain hidden from the world.” Afterward, with relative ease, he summed up his memories on the key points of the Second Vatican Council. He highlighted the intense work of the delegates and the value of the documents they drafted. But he warned that it was also the “Council of the media” that many times made wrong interpretations. BENEDICT XVI “We know that this “council of the media” was accessible to anyone, so this made it more efficient in creating more calamities and problems and much misery: closed seminaries, cl...

February 14, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Vatican spokesperson, Father Federico Lombardi, confirmed that the papal secretary, Msgr. Georg Gaenswein, will follow Benedict XVI when he withdraws to Castel Gandolfo. He will then move to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery inside the Vatican, along with the housekeeping staff that tended to the Pope in the last seven years. Georg Gaenwein will remain prefect of the Pontifical Household, and will organize the schedule for the new Pope, however he has no decision making authority in the process. FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI Vatican Spokesperson  “Msgr. Georg Gaenswein will travel along with the Pope to Castel Gandolfo and the monastery, and will continue to assist him personally, and also the Memores Domini.” About the start of the conclave, Lombardi doesn't expect it to begin during the first half of March. According to Canon Law, it must begin 15 to 20 days after the start of the Sede Vacante period. FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI Vatican Spok...

February 13, 2013. (Romereports) “I thank you all for the love and prayers that have accompanied me. Thank you," said the Pope. "In these difficult days, I've felt almost physically, the power of prayer that comes through the love for the Church and your personal prayers. Continue to pray for me, for the Church and the future Pope. The Lord will guide.” Looking calm and serene, Benedict XVI led his first public appearance, after announcing his resignation. Before a full crowd, he once again said he made the decision with complete liberty.  He echoed Monday's statement by saying that he  does not have the strength to carry out the office. Then he continued with his weekly catechesis, on  Ash Wednesday. He talked about the temptation Jesus experienced when He was in the desert. In today's modern world, said the Pope, the temptation is to push faith aside and seek false solutions. BENEDICT XVI “While the Lord continues to raise up examples of radical co...