Pope thanks all who helped him have a peaceful stay at papal villa

Published: 2006-10-02

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Wrapping up his public appearances at the papal summer villa, Pope Benedict XVI thanked those who helped ensure he had a peaceful stay in the hills south of Rome. During a morning meeting Sept. 30 he conveyed his thanks to the mayor, city council and parish priest of Castel Gandolfo, to the religious communities present in the town and to the police and firefighters who assisted Vatican agents throughout the summer. In the afternoon, he met with employees of the papal villa, gardens and farm. The pope was scheduled to leave Castel Gandolfo Oct. 4 after a stay of more than two months. Reciting the midday Angelus Oct. 1 for the last time before returning to the Vatican, the pope encouraged Catholics around the world to make a special effort to pray the rosary with their families during the month of October and to be missionaries of God's love.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .