Posted on 04/20/2005 1:29:44 PM PDT by ELS
Rome, Apr. 20 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI made his first public appearance on the streets of Rome on Wednesday afternoon, April 20, as he visited his old apartment near Vatican City to transfer some belongings to his new home in the apostolic palace.
The newly elected Pope, clothed completely in the distinctive white vestments of the papacy, caught onlookers by surprise when he chose to travel on foot, walking the few hundred yards to the apartment in the Citta Leonina where he had lived for years. When the news spread that the Pontiff was walking through the city, hundreds of people quickly gathered, and he spent some time in front of the apartment building, greeting the people and blessing young children. Italian police and Vatican security officials did their best to control the crowd, preserving some breathing room for the Pontiff.
After a short stay in his old apartment, the Pontiff reappeared, entering a black car that was waiting for him at the entrance of the building. He paused again to wave to the crowd, turning slowly from one direction to another so that he could greet as many as possible. The crowd burst into cheers of "Long live the Pope!" and the chant that has already become familiar: "Benedetto!" Pope Benedict later commented that he was "very moved" as he resumed direct contact with the faithful.
Pope Benedict had occupied the apartment in Citta Leonina until moving into the Vatican's St. Martha residence, along with all the other cardinal-electors, to begin the conclave on April 18.
Earlier in the day, the new Pope had taken possession of his new apartments in the apostolic palace. He was accompanied by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo (bio - news), the camerlengo, who had sealed off those apartments after the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
ELS: Thank you for posting the article. The new Pope is starting off well indeed.
Pyro: Thanks for the great photographs.
Mine is two days earlier than his and your daughter's,
but my mother and Benedetto share the same birthday!
A treat indeed, fortunecookie. Thank you for the ping. What a wonderful thread. What a wonderful Holy Father we have.
Hey, where can I get a B16 or B-16 Baseball Cap? No disrespect. I want to show my colors! This pope will turn out to be fantastic!
Hey, where can I get a B16 or B-16 Baseball Cap? No disrespect. I want to show my colors! This pope will turn out to be fantastic!
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