Posted on 03/26/2013 11:48:33 AM PDT by NYer
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, but to live in a suite in the Vatican guesthouse where he has been since the beginning of the conclave that elected him, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
"He is experimenting with this type of living arrangement, which is simple," but allows him "to live in community with others," both the permanent residents -- priests and bishops who work at the Vatican -- as well as guests coming to the Vatican for meetings and conferences, Father Lombardi said March 26.
The spokesman said Pope Francis has moved out of the room he drew by lot before the conclave and into Suite 201, a room that has slightly more elegant furnishings and a larger living room where he can receive guests.
The Domus Sanctae Marthae, the official name of the guesthouse, was built in 1996 specifically to house cardinals during a conclave.
Celebrating Mass March 26 with the residents and guests, Pope Francis told them he intended to stay, Father Lombardi said. The permanent residents, who had to move out during the conclave, had just returned to their old rooms.
Pope Francis has been there since his election March 13, taking his meals in the common dining room downstairs and celebrating a 7 a.m. Mass with Vatican employees in the main chapel of the residence.
He will be the first pope in 110 years not to live in the papal apartments on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace.
In 1903, St. Pius X became the first pope to live in the apartments overlooking St. Peter's Square. The apartments were completely remodeled by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and have undergone smaller modifications by each pope since, according to "Mondo Vaticano," a Vatican-published mini-encyclopedia about Vatican buildings, offices and tradition.
The large living room or salon of the apartment is located directly above the papal library where official audiences with visiting bishops and heads of state are held.
Pope Francis will continue to use the library for official audiences and to recite the Angelus prayer on Sundays and holy days from the apartment window overlooking St. Peter's Square, Father Lombardi said.
The apartments contain a chapel, an office for the pope and a separate office for his secretaries, the pope's bedroom, a dining room, kitchen and rooms for two secretaries and for the household staff.
When Pope Francis returned to the guesthouse after his election, Father Lombardi had said the move was intended to be short-term while a few small work projects were completed in the papal apartments. He said March 26 that all the work had been completed, but at least for the foreseeable future, Pope Francis would not move in.
The Domus Sanctae Marthae, named after St. Martha, is a five-story building on the edge of Vatican City.
While offering relative comfort, the residence is not a luxury hotel. The building has 105 two-room suites and 26 singles; about half of the rooms are occupied by the permanent residents. Each suite has a sitting room with a desk, three chairs, a cabinet and large closet; a bedroom with dresser, night table and clothes stand; and a private bathroom with a shower.
The rooms all have telephones and access to an international satellite television system.
The building also has a large meeting room and a variety of small sitting rooms. In addition to the dining room and the main chapel, it also has four private chapels, located at the end of hallways on the third and fifth floors of each of the building's two wings.
“Except he’s walked this walk for many years.”
Someone once said “Being humble isn’t thinking less of yourself, but more of others.”
Seems that by being more “in the world” in the cafeteria, Mass with the kitchen help, etc. he is in a position to reach out to others more.
How can you say that on FR? ;)
PS: I like the guy.
P.S. Does this “news” deserve 124 posts?
Better this than 124 posts to a naughty teacher thread.
There is a naughty teacher thread? Link, please!
They’re like a bus, there will be another one along in a couple minutes.
I do.
I’m on Malta right now and will be here for Holy Week and EasterJust heard from my good habiba [friend] who lives in "mighty" Malta:
Election went the way I didn’t want it to go! A difference of 36000 votes, which is big for Malta. Anyway, we were expecting it...Too bad on that score and also the prior legalization of divorce (which you've already mentioned). Here's a photo of an Adoration Chapel my friend's aunt takes care of in Malta. Maybe you'll see it! Enjoy your stay. What I wouldn't give to be able to be there. :)
I was thinking Gerald Ford. (He made his own breakfast at first anyway)
I, too, am very encouraged by Pope Francis. He appears to have his priorities straight and has the courage of those convictions.
Once again, I was referring merely to the superficial visual aspects of an ascetic monk. Goodness, people take things seriously.
I am reserving comments, but most Jesuits out here in CA are liberal socialists.
Well played, that verse! Well played!!
(Frowns. Taps fingers...)
We knew a guy that was very humble too and he lived poorly intentionally. He gave up his pay as a Catholic schoolteacher, but at the same time, his best friend/brother (who was poor as a church mouse) was raising a family not making ends meet. Sometimes I think the desire to remain humble (or to make a point) can get in the way of common sense. Bottom line, though, I don’t care so much where the pope lives; I just pray he remains a holy and humble warrior for Christ.
“What’s an Arkenfuehrer?”
There is a small town, Hope, from which he hailed. Besides the Bible so eloquently displayed on a Sunday-go-to-meetin’ walk I also remember the laughter stopping suddenly and a tear to be dabbed at leaving Ron Brown’s funeral when he saw the cameras aimed his direction...
It's prolly best to leave the combining of the two aspects... to the real pros.
Very good and articulate response. Thank you.
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