Pope arrives at summer residence, greets crowd

Published: 2005-07-29

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI arrived at the papal summer residence south of Rome July 28 and almost immediately went to a balcony to greet the crowd waiting for him outside. "I have just arrived from Valle d'Aosta," he told the people gathered in the public square outside the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo. "I spent two beautiful weeks in the mountains, but now I am happy to be here with you," he said. "For more than a month, I will be your fellow citizen, and for me it is a joy to be in this beautiful little city, to live with you and to see the beauties of ancient Rome located nearby," the pope said. The pope thanked the residents and visitors for their warm welcome and promised, "We will see each other often."

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