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.
I’m just asking why people who hate the Church even care where the Pope is living...and why they aren’t happy that he’s now living someplace more modest. Is there anything that would make you happy?
LOL, he can’t win for losing.
We had a priest who wasn’t all that enthusiastic about his duties. He regularly hired a priest from Mexico to do the masses at the mission church, especially during Holy Week. Our new priest does all the things a priest should do and more. He has established a catechetical program at the mission, he goes very early to hear confessions, he has worked with them to improve their parish and last Sunday, because there were some extra things going on because of Palm Sunday he hired the Mexican priest for only the second time in one year and got a nasty email.
There are some pretty nasty and vindictive characters here on your side of the Tiber. As my Catholic grade school teacher used to say, "Clean off your own doorstep before you clean off someone elses.".
Oh, sigh ...
I would love to spend Holy Week somewhere that the observances are not an afterthought in the midst of an ordinary work/school week. Maybe I’ll get to visit my FRiend in Colombia some day ... he claims to have been in jail in Malta, and then deported with extreme prejudice ;-).
Oh, OK, Bipolar Bob.
Ahhh, if someone came up to you several times a day and called your mother a whore and your daughter a harlot even when you tried to avoid them, even when you tried to be civil and defend them using reason and they chose not only not to listen to your reasoning but went about town slandering your family would you see it as someone who just “disagreed” with your family or would you see intent?
The homosexual pedophile, Weakland, who mis-ran the Milwaukee Archdiocese actually had his home lifted up so an automobile entry and exit could be installed. This at great expense, he could exit his car without going out in the rain.
Has someone physically accosted you? Has someone been pinging you after you told them to stop? FReepmailing you in a stalking manner? Has someone continually posted to you specifically over and over? OR has someone posted their opinion, article or blog which you just happen to disagree with? Now, which is it?
Totally disagree. Every action our new Pope takes is well publicized. The fact he is rejecting many of the regal trappings is awesome and sets a great example.
Actually, I didn’t take it personally until I read your reply. When people who aren’t involved in a dispute wade in it makes people defensive of their own.
Normally when I read that poster’s replies, I roll my eyes, think snotty things and then stop and ask for forgiveness and for God to bless him. It isn’t always easy but I know God loves him for me until I can grow enough in my holiness through the Holy Spirit to love him too.
You did not address the fact that the Pope will be living in an apartment building with a lot of other people who will be subject to the security problems which surround him. If pointing out that I think that is selfish of him to do that to the other people in his apartment, I am sorry. Maybe it is a “base motive,” but no one has effectively explained how the other people in his building will not be affected by this. He is not merely our Holy Father, he is the head of the Vatican State, and as such will have the security necessary for this position. There is no way this will not affect the other people living in his building. Think how you would feel if the governor of your state moved in next door to you - while he was still governor! Your life would change, whether you wanted it to, or not. He is doing the same thing to these people, who were just living quietly and now all of a sudden the Head of the Vatican State will be next door, down the hall, or upstairs. Will there be security check points every time they ride the elevator? Will their grocery bags have to be inspected? These are the things that I’m talking about.
I guess you haven't been reading my posts on this thread. I have said nothing but GOOD things about your new Pope Francis.
Off subject, but since you are so close, I highly recommend a side visit to Portugal if you can. I got to go there for work three different times in the late 90's. A really beautiful country!
Gee, Revolting, I can’t remember ever having a discussion with you directly on these threads. Nice to know you at least notice my work! ;o)
That’s prolly because I’m Revolting, not Religious!
Agree!
I’m guessing that security at the Vatican is already extremely tight. Having Pope Francis living in the Vatican guesthouse may not make as much of a difference as one might think.
Sorry boatbum, maybe I misunderstood you or confused something you quoted with your own words. My apologies!
I go to the Iberian peninsula countries and regions a lot myself and I often spend Holy Week in Madrid (beautiful processions) but this year I wanted to try something different. Malta is definitely different!
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