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Castel
Gandolfo, 5th May 2005 (CNA)
- Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI made his
first trip outside Rome in a brief visit to the
papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo.
The Holy Father traveled by Italian Air
Force helicopter to the mountainous lakeside town
for a three-hour visit, where he was greeted by
hundreds of locals waving white and yellow flags.
The Vatican announced that the visit
included a brief meeting with the town mayor, an
appearance at a window facing the village’s main
street for a blessing, and a walk through the
grounds of the papal residence before being flown
back to the Vatican in the early evening.
Pope John Paul II had made the retreat
well-known by spending numerous weeks during
Rome’s scorching summer months there, where he
welcomed many friends and dignitaries, including
President George Bush and his wife Laura in
2001.
The Vatican also announced today that the
Pope’s schedule includes a meeting with South
African President Thabo Mbeki on Friday and a
visit to two of Rome’s basilicas, St. John
Lateran, and St. Mary Major, on Sunday.
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