CHATTER, THE ENGLISH VERSION OF KREATIVBEREICH

Thank you so much, Ratzigirl, what a lovely picture !

Do you know anything about that pic from JPII in 1981 in Castel Gandolfo wearing a swimsuit ? I have never seen it before.

And, another question.
Does someone know, can Papa swim ? And did he use the swimmingpool in Castel Gandolfo ?

[Modificato da Simone55 02/12/2005 16.12]

Yes, I think, he can (My english is terrible, I know. Please, correct me)

Look at this:

Vatikanstadt. AFP/SDa/baz.
Mit einem dicken Stapel Akten und einigen neuen Badehosen wird Papst Benedikt XVI. in die Sommerferien gehen. Vom 11. bis zum 28. Juli werde der Papst Ferien im Aosta-Tal in den italienischen Alpen machen.
Dies verriet sein Privatsekretär Georg Gänswein am Freitag im Vatikan. Der Heilige Vater werde viele Akten mitnehmen, denn
«wir haben viel zu arbeiten», sagte der Sekretär.
Nach dem Aosta-Tal werde der Papst noch einige Tage auf den päpstlichen Sommersitz nach Castelgandolfo bei Rom fahren,
um sich auf seine Deutschland-Reise vom 18. bis 21. August vorzubereiten.
Wie die italienische Wochenzeitung «Espresso» am Freitag enthüllte, wird der Papst auch einige Badehosen im Gepäck haben.
Der römische Herrenausstatter Fallani habe dem Heiligen Vater gut 20 Modelle zur Auswahl zukommen lassen.
Dem Bericht zufolge zeigte sich dabei, dass Benedikt XVI. auch bei der Bademode eine eher konservative Linie verfolgt: Er
entschied sich für Modelle in den gesetzten Farben blau, grau und schwarz. Den Rest schickte er zurück.

© 2005 National Zeitung und Basler Nachrichten AG
Erschienen am: 24.06.2005

Wouldn't it be nice, to get some pictures of splashing Papa ?

Thank you, Simone, for furnishing the item. For those who do not read German,I won't do a word-for-word translation as it is from July before the Pope went to Les Combes.

In short, the item says that Papa was going on vacation with a thick pile of documents and some new swimming trunks. Msgr. Gaenswein said he was bringing a lot of documents because “he has a lot of work to do.”

The Italian magazine L’Espresso also reported earlier that the Pope is packing some new swimming trunks. The Roman haberdashery firm Fallani reportedly sent him 20 models to choose from. And it appears Benedict is conservative even in his choice of swimming trunks, as he chose those in blue, gray and black, and sent the rest back.
-------------------------------------------------------------

And that was the last we have heard about those trunks - at least in the press. So, yes, nice to think of Papa splashing in the pool, as Simone suggests. I wonder if teh Vatican has a heated indoor pool!

PAPA IN THE POOL???

Sorry, can't imagine it. I doubt he has ever taken the time to learn to swim--too busy reading, writing, and teaching. Especially after the childhood incident of nearly drowning in the pond near his house. I read the story earlier about the bathing suits. He may have kept them but, unless he gets in the pool to do exercises on his doctor's orders, I would guess he stays clear of the water. As for photos of him in a bathing suit, it's never going to happen. The Swiss guards probably have orders to use those pikes of theirs if necessary if anybody with a camera were to appear anywhere within range of Papa in a bathing suit.

i also got the feeling that Papa can swim though we may never see him in trunks

NEWLY MINTED BENEDICTS

New coins from the Vatican with Benedict's image on them will be released by the Vatican this spring. Coin collectors and souvenir hunters, take notice. Details in the following article:

www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=41053

I know that JP2 decided to build swimming pool in Castel Gandolfo along of his lack of sports as pope. I have heard that he was able to swim until 2002 - this was a sort of physiotheraphy for his body.
I saw the photo of JP2 in swimsuit in some french magazine after his death in April...it had no quality...you could see some old man who got out of swimming pool in black swimsuit...probably made secretelly by some arrogant photographer. There was title that said photos of pope was made in Castel Gandolfo. Obviously taken by very far distance of the pool.

[Modificato da Maklara 03/12/2005 23.03]

If Papa does swim and uses the pool wherever, I hope that, even if someone has the chance of taking a photograph, the photo(s) never get published.

It was terribly wrong to have published that one of John Paul that Maklara mentions, especially as it was taken when he was already aged and spent by his illnesses. I don't think any picture of him wearing only swimming trunks even as a young priest was ever published, and rightfully not. Why didn't they respect his age, if not his office?

Popes are not matinee idols. Respect for the Pope as Christ's Vicar on earth necessarily includes drawing the line against gratuitous photographic indiscretions.

@Teresa..."Popes are not matinee idols."


You are absolutely right, Teresa. But, when it comes to Papa, well...umm...

I have the same opinion about taking photos by paparazzis as you,Theresa and Benefan. I hate the thing that people do it only for money and have no shame.

But I want to make sure you that on the photo I saw with JP2, he was still in good condition. It was made in around 1981.The man on the picture was well built and seemed very sportive.

Thanks, Maklara. I feel better now, knowing the picture was not taken of the older JPII, but still...

yup..much respect for Papa

So I take it that if a photo existed of Ratzinger in swim gear taken circa 1975, no one would post it here? And if ratzigirl 'happened' to have it on her (let's say) Buonanotte thread, that one would need to note the page number in order to avoid going there inadvertently?

OK you guys, I confess. I'd 'probably' take a look - in the interests of research, to confirm the outrage had taken place.

[Modificato da Wulfrune 05/12/2005 14.02]

@Wulfrune
It's exactly as you describe it. I would never ever look at a photo like this. I'd even avoid the forum if someone posted a pic lof Papa in swim gear.

Oh, by the way you haven't seen a photo like that somewhere? So I can avoid the site.....

I am inclined to think as benefan does, that Papa doesn't swim. I don't think he would bother - unless under doctor's orders. I think the story about choosing the colours of swimming trunks is just "newspaper talk".
But......with Wulfrune, I think it is likely that he was taught how to swim when he was a child, after the accident in the pond. Of course, we don't know what form the accident took. He may have fallen in face first and Georg hauled him out quickly. Whatever the details were, I think it could have put him off the idea of water for life.
Hey - girls - I am being SO serious today!!!!!!! What IS wrong with me?
Love, choy etc. Mary x

I've noticed several of us have had this trouble!
Hey - I was logged in and then, when I posted, I wasn't!!!!!
I think it logs you out after a certain time.
I've just realised -you can tell by the top of this little form - if it says Login effettuato and your name it's OK - if not, you have to log in again. Doh!!!!!!
I need to go back to bed and get up again - and it's gone three in the afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have I had too much Ratzingeritis? NO - I'll never do that!
It's having Ratzingeritis that keeps me going. Doc, don't even think about trying to cure me.
Love - Mary

OK, ladies, I'll come clean......
Say that Papa does swim, on medical advice......here's my latest idea, in consultation with Pooh Bear, of course. I get kitted out for swimming myself [I can swim, though not exactly life-save]. I hide near the pool - if it's outdoors at Castel Gandolfo, I can be secreted behind a palm tree [one with a fairly fat trunk, as I'm on the wide side!]. When Papa gets into the water, I'll think he needs help and........whoa....I'll take a plunge into the water. Pooh will be shouting me encouragement from the side.....
"Oh Papa! I didn't want to scare you. I was afraid you were in difficulties....I just want to save you for all our sakes"
Then.....I get arrested and taken to the dungeon in Castel Gandolfo.
No more is heard from Mary and Pooh for many years.

Well, the Plods put Maryjos in the Vatican jail, in the mistaken belief that she is an assassin trying to drown the Holy Father (her lifesaving skills being nonexistent).

In order to forgive her, of course Papa Ratzi would want to visit her in prison. Standing in the doorway, a vision in white, it is all too much for Mary, and she swoons instantly, hitting her head on the cold stone floor.

Then to the Gemelli hospital (for convenience to the Vatican prison) for treatment for concussion, and lo, Papa visits again....

This time Mary makes herself understood with many ti voglio benes, and claims her injuries are really in the pursuit of protecting Papa. And so he blesses her and praises her. The Swiss Guards shrug at the 'Crazy Inglese'.

But will this be the last attempt to get close to the Papa? Do roses bloom in summer? Is the Pope a Catholic?

THE SAGA CONTINUES

I don't think the swimming pool caper will work mainly because I seriously don't think Papa uses the pool, not because I don't think Mary could sneak into Castelgandolfo. (I'm expecting to read her name in the newspapers any day now in connection with a plot to kidnap the pope. Her fingerprints were all over that red cape.) However, I do plan to check out the Buonanotte page in detail for any swimming photos out of a sheer sense of obligation to this forum. If I do find any such photos, I will be sure to inform everyone NOT to look at that page.

---

If I do find any such photos, I will be sure to inform everyone NOT to look at that page.

---

@benefan

Very good, benefan! I would really hate to look at this page.



@Teresa
I haven't seen the photo yet, thanks for telling us.