Pope makes spring visit to summer residence, pledges to return

Published: 2005-05-06

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- At a rather hastily organized small-town festival, Pope Benedict XVI was welcomed to Castel Gandolfo, where he pledged to continue the tradition of papal summer stays. Schoolchildren from the town of about 4,000 people gathered May 5 right under the window of the papal palace on the town's main square. Their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and fellow citizens stood behind them. The quiet town in the hills south of Rome is dependent year-round on employment provided by the pontifical villas -- the papal summer residence, gardens, dairy and the Vatican Observatory -- and by the pilgrims and tourists who visit them. Greeting about 2,000 "Castellani" and tourists from a window overlooking the square, Pope Benedict said, "Thank you for your presence and your cordiality."

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