POPE-POURRI: 'Light' news items, anecdotes about Pope Benedict now

BOOK COVERS TO COVET???

I don't think it's the book cover we are coveting.

Oh dear, sometimes looking at Papa Ratzi's old pictures I could not stop to think about how it would have been if he had become Pope just after Paul VI. It's said that Paul VI wanted him as his sucessor......
well, if yo want to compare him with other Popes here is a link to a site with many portraits of Popes:
geneweb.inria.fr/roglo?lang=pt-br;m=TT;sm=S;t=Papa

[Modificato da @Nessuna@ 13/01/2006 5.16]

Thanks to Ratzi.Lella in the main forum, who found this blog
by "lo svizzero" on the site opinione.it. Here is a translation -
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No one expected it, indeed, the contrary was feared, but instead, thousands have been
flocking to the Wednesday general audiences to listen to a Pope who had been considered
“not mediagenic” as Joseph Ratzinger. So there has been a lot of behind-the-scenes discussion
in the Roman Curia of what has become a real if unexplainable* phenomenon.
[*Teresa's comment: What’s to explain? The Pope attracts people!]

Every time a solemn ceremony is announced to take place At St. Peter’s, or even for the
weekly general audiences, a full house – what the Roman dialect calls “er pienone” – is guaranteed.

Pilgrims from all over Italy as well as from around the world, as well as groups of simply curious
Romans have been heading towards the Bernini hemicycles or inside St. Peter’s to see, listen to
and applaud the German Pope who has by now overcome his once inveterate shyness, explaining to
them(at the audiences) the Psalms which he knows by heart. And to make himself understood by all,
he makes two concessions to his very diverse audiences: arm gestures, as well as the brevity
of his prepared texts.

And people continue to come in great numbers, which has produced a series of “shocks” among
many in the Roman curia, who themselves feel embraced by those gestures of the papal arms thrown
wide open. They too have been listening to those papal messages reduced to bare bone, modulated by
a disarming voice with a singular accent.

Before this indubitable and more importantly repetitive - though far from expected - phenomenon
of crowds drawn to the new Pope, some authorities at the Vatican decided to quantify it,
first in absolute numbers and then with comparisons. And so, the statisticians of the Prefecture
of the Pontifical Household came out with a table of participation at various activities
at which the Pope was present. The extraordinary numbers which came forth were astounding to many.

From April to December 2005, Joseph Ratzinger attracted 2,855,500 persons to St. Peter’s,
compared to 17,665,800 who were recorded at St. Peter’s for John Paul II from 1978 to 2005.
[If one took an average over 25 years - not counting 1978, when he was elected in October, and 2005,
when he was too sick most of the time to be present – John Paul II attracted 706,632 persons yearly].

So, by the numbers alone, Papa Ratzinger appears to surpass the mediagenic Papa Wojtyla in
popularity – a result absolutely no one had expected. And that is why a number of Curia
veterans are stunned!

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NO NUMBERS SHOCK FOR BENADDICTS

"So, by the numbers alone, Papa Ratzinger appears to surpass the mediagenic Papa Wojtyla in popularity – a result absolutely no one had expected. And that is why a number of Curia veterans are stunned!"

The popularity isn't a surprise to us Benaddicts. We could have told the Curia if they had just asked us. Papa is a phenomenon, an ecclesial superstar, the pied piper of the faithful and of those (like Oriana Fallaci) still seeking to believe. He will always be mobbed by people wherever he goes. The Curia and the media need to get used to it and learn to appreciate the fact that he is the perfect pope.

[Modificato da benefan 13/01/2006 16.58]

Hmmm, well, yes....

But nevertheless, since Ratzi wasn't mobbed during his time at the CDF and in fact lived with an unfair reputation (remember Ratzigirl's negative feeling when she first saw him?), for me it is a surprise that he's become so popular - a very pleasant surprise.

Some pundits have claimed that the large numbers are on account of the people wishing to pray at John Paul 2's tomb. This may have partly explained things a few months ago, but I am not sure that it is very convincing seven months on, now the weather has turned cold.

Associated Press in Italy (Apcom) reports two anecdotes from the meeting yesterday between
the Pope and the administrative officials of Rome and the province of Lazio.
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Rome Mayor tries out his Bavarian with Benedict

”Give us something to do!” Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said this in Bavarian dialect at the end
of his private audience with the Pope yesterday.

The Pope reportedly said that next time he meets the officials of Rome, he would make sure to
say something in the Roman dialect.

Veltroni then asked the Pope, “Well, Your Holiness? How was my pronunciation?”

“Very good,” the Pope answered. “How did you do it?”

“I had an adviser,” Veltroni replied, pointing to the Pope’s personal secrerary, Mons. Gaenswein.

“But how did you find the right phrase in Bavarian?” the Pope asked.

Veltroni: “It was suggested to me by journalist Piero Schiavazzi of Telepace."[Commercial
channel that broadcasts Vatican events to Europe]
*************************************************************

Pope asks about his favorite waiter
With another mayor, Angelo Miele, of the town of Valmontone in the province of Lazio,
the Pope exchanged words about a waiter who served him for over 15 years in Rome.

When he was presented to the Pope, Miele told him he represented the town which is
the birthplace of
Roberto Proscio, who was called “the Pope’s waiter” in several stories that came out shortly
after Benedict XVI’s election.

At that time, Proscio ended up in many newspaper stories and TV interviews when he told
reporters what he typically served to the new Pope (a Viennese consomme, slices of Syrian
sausages, sacher torte or strudel for dessert, and two cans of orange juice) for over 15 years
at the Tirolean resturant that then-Cardinal Ratzinger frequented near his home in Rome.

Their friendship continued even after Proscio decided to go back home to Valmontone where
he put up his own restaurant, and which the Cardinal visited a few times.

Miele says that when the Pope heard the words Valmontone and Roberto, his face lit up and
“he asked me how Roberto was, and if the dishes he prepared were as good as ever.”

“It was truly a very pleasant departure from protocol,” Miele said. “I invited the Holy Father
to come back and visit Valmontone and dine once again at his friend’s table.”

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"So, by the numbers alone, Papa Ratzinger appears to surpass the mediagenic Papa Wojtyla in popularity – a result absolutely no one had expected. And that is why a number of Curia veterans are stunned!"

hmmm...and still in the cold they continue to come I don't think this can be attributed to mere curiosity anymore, though it is probably likely that some are curious and that is why they come...and come back for more . Also, its nice to hear about little things like that, Papa asking about his "favorite waiter"

ZENIT'S Elizabeth Lev gives us a better background of what has become a Roman and papal tradition at Christmastime:

Nativity of the Humble

Jan. 5, on the vigil of Epiphany, Benedict XVI reprised another Roman tradition established by Pope John Paul II. Leaving the grand halls of the Apostolic Palace, he went next door to the little neighborhood around Vatican City to visit the Nativity scene made by Rome's street sweepers.

It is an Italian custom to go from church to church visiting the Nativity scenes during the Christmas season. But why would the Pope select theirs?

I asked the sanitation department office in charge of the area near the Vatican, and officials answered that they had simply asked the Holy Father to visit.

In 1972, a young sanitation worker, Giuseppe Ianni, conceived of the idea of building a Nativity scene for the recreation offices of the local street sweepers. Assisted by dozens of his colleagues, Ianni built the large cavern that today contains some 200 figures, 95 miniature houses and 30 feet of canals, rivers and aqueducts.

The mortar cavern is embedded with more than 1,200 bits of stone, some from faraway countries, others from little Italian villages and many are from great pilgrimage sites such as Santiago de Compostela.

One special piece of wood graces the work. Father Ibrahim Faltas, custodian of the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, donated a piece of olive wood from the place where Jesus was born. The wood was used to make the doors on the replica grotto containing the Holy Family.

Ianni and the sanitation department wrote to Pope Paul VI, asking him to visit their crèche, and in 1974, he came. John Paul II visited the crèche a total of 24 times from 1979 until 2002. In 2003, when he was unable to go over to the offices, the workers brought a miniature model to the Holy Father for his blessing.

Mother Teresa also paid a visit to the scene in 1996, today commemorated by a mural painting with a poetic dedication.

When I went to see it, the room was packed with tourist groups, religious sisters and families all lining up to see the Nativity. Children were delighted by the churning windmills and the running waterfalls, while their parents noted the donkeys carrying foodstuffs and pointed out the laundry hanging on lines, dripping water.

One Italian observed that there was so much activity that the actual Nativity scene seemed to take second place. Indeed the grotto is placed obliquely in the composition, under the houses, hills and waterfalls. Bright light emanating from the cave provides the only indication of its importance.

Perhaps this comment offers a clue to understanding the Pope's faithful visits. The labors of the sanitation worker are humble and rarely appreciated. He passes unseen, cleaning up after the crowds have gone home, collecting trash while the Romans sleep.

Was not the birth of Jesus like this? In the heart of night, as Mary bore Jesus, the rest of the world lay sleeping. While the people of Bethlehem plied their trades and went about their business, the Savior of the world lay in a humble manger, visited by a few shepherds.

Thus a visit to the street sweepers' crèche makes for a fitting tradition to commemorate the birth of Christ.

Just to complete the stories on the various groups the Pope has been receiving for Christmas and New Year greetings, yesterday he met with the former papal seat-bearers.

VATICAN CITY, JAN 13, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the "sediari pontifici" or pontifical seat bearers, the body of men once charged with the duty of bearing the Pope's "sedia gestatoria," and who now carry out functions of protocol in the Pontifical Household.

"Yours is an ancient task," the Pope told them, "which over the course of the centuries has evolved in different ways depending upon the customs and needs of the times," but has always remained "linked with the See of Peter."

"Your work, then, is part of a context wherein everything must speak to the whole world of the Church of Christ, and must do so coherently, imitating Him Who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.' It is in this light that the recent reforms put into effect by my predecessors must be seen, particularly by Pope Paul VI to whom it fell to implement the new requisites of the Council. Ceremonies were simplified, bringing them back to a greater sobriety more in keeping with the Christian message and the needs of the times."

The Pope thanked the "sediari" for their contribution to the smooth functioning of pontifical audiences and celebrations, adding that "diligence, courtesy and discretion must be the characteristics that distinguish you in your work."

"My wish, dear friends," he concluded, "is that you may always be - both in the Vatican and at home, in the parish and in all situations - helpful and attentive to others. This is a precious lesson for your children and grandchildren, who will learn from your example how service to the Holy See means, above all, a Christian mentality and lifestyle."

Here's the original story by Marco Tosatti in La Stampa which set off a flurry of international "intrigue" today. In translation-
-------------------------------------------------------------

To the great mysteries at the Vatican has now been added a small one: What has the Pope been doing at his old apartment at Piazza della Citta Leonina #1, just outside the Vatican walls? He has been reportedly seen at least three times in the past few weeks paying a visit there at night with his private secretary Mons, Georg Gaenswein, and staying a couple of hours. He may be there more frequently but unnoticed.

The same routine was reportedly followed all three times. An agent of the Vatican security service first comes to make sure that the street in front of the apartment building’s main door is free. The Piazza is technically a pedestrian zone, but there is usually always a police car stationed there, either official or unmarked, because the American Embassy to the Holy See is also located nearby.

At night, however, after the tourist crowds are gone, the place is virtually empty, eept for a few priests, Swiss Guard on liberty, or some religious figures hurrying to get home.

Around 9 p.m., a dark-colored car comes out through Porta Angelica from the Vatican, but it is not one of the official limousines generally used by the Pope. The driver goes along Borgo Pio, turns right into via Mascherino and right again to drive straight towards the main door of building #1. It would be easier to just walk straight from Porto Angelica across to the building.

The right passenger door opens and the Pope comes out dressed in black cassock, with black overcoat and a black beret on his head – just as he used to dress before April 19 2005. He takes the key from his coat pocket, opens the front door and walks briskly into the bulding followed by his secretary Georg Gaenswein. The piazza goes back to its usual stillness, and the only thing out of the ordinary is the car parked there with its driver, who once in a while starts the car to warm up.

However fleetingly, the Pope has apparently been seen by one of the cardinals who lives in the building, or a couple of priests surprised to see the Pope in “civvies” returning discreetly to his old home.

The condominuim is owned by the Vatican. Among its cardinal occupants are Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Walter Kasper, Pio Laghi, Carlo Furnoi and Virgilo Noe. But the pope hasn’t been there to visit any of them.

He goes to his old apartment where evidently, he still keeps some things. It is not like he goes in for a few minutes then leaves with a bag or a suitcase or whatever. He reportedly stays for a couple of hours.

So all sorts of speculation are made. Two appear most plausible. As Prefect of the CDF, he used to take home work with him. It is possible that he is still working on some open files for the CDF which he would think improper to take into the Papapl apartments. So he may be working to close those files and sign off on them.

Or, now that his living quarters at the Apostolic Palace have been completely redone, he may be making a final selection of which items he still needs to bring over to the Vatican.

Finally, maybe it’s just nostalgia. He lived a quiet life there for 24 years. Maybe it’s a change from the Vatican. Also. One must not forget that Joseph Ratzinger had expected to retire with the death of John Paul II, and play Mozart, Palestrina, Bach...

NOW THAT THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS...

what time of night and what route he takes, chances are the street won't be so empty next time the dark-colored car drives up to the front door. Hopefully, the crowd will be friends, not foes. I can't believe he'd be doing CDF work there, especially late at night. That is way too far-fetched a theory.

Maryjos, we need you in Rome to clear up this mystery. I'm sure it wouldn't take much persuasion to get you to lurk outside Papa's apartment and find out what he's up to. Or, do you think he might be having clandestine meetings with the Sisters in the Italian branch of our forum? Teresa, can you check with Sister Ratzigirl where she's been on the nights in question?

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Scritto da: Wulfrune 13/01/2006 17.46
Hmmm, well, yes....

But nevertheless, since Ratzi wasn't mobbed during his time at the CDF and in fact lived with an unfair reputation (remember Ratzigirl's negative feeling when she first saw him?), for me it is a surprise that he's become so popular - a very pleasant surprise.

.....

---

I had the same fears, Wulfrune, but obviously the press is not as powerful as they probably think. People are not silly and like to build their own opinion. So, we are not the only ones who love him. It's indeed a nice surprise and I have no right to be jealous.

@NESSUNA
Thank you for that Pope-webside

Oh, I just realise that Pope John XXIII is missing on that list.

Here is a translation of an item Ratzigirl posted today from the Italian press. Please do not
go into conniptions - a little weight loss may be good for Papa!
--------------------------------------------------------------

The Pope has lost some weight, according to people in the Curia and others who have seen
him daily or have been following him daily through photographs and TV. Nothing to worry
about, they hasten to add.

Although Joseph Ratzinger’s health was not always optimal in the past, as Pope he is followed
very closely by the papal physician Prof. Buzzonetti, who is also with him every time the Pope
leaves the Vatican.

Almost everyone agrees that Benedict’s weight loss is a result of his daily workload which
includes activities that were not routine for him before he became Pope. He has kept all
public and private appointments that have been scheduled for him.

He has been firm and determined as ever, arousing polemics with his recent statements in his
homilies, discourses and meessages from persistent ‘progessives” within the Church and
liberal lay circles.

For instance, his message for World Peace Day on January 1 denounced practically all
the "negative" protagonists in the world today in unusually blunt words. He did not spare
the United Nations, with its inability to act decisively on many international tragedies,
and he urged reforms that will enable the UN to cope better with international emergencies
like earthquakes and major floods.

He did not spare words with any of the world powers, great and small, nor against ethnic and
religious fundamentalists, and raised a new alarm over the specter of nuclear bombs which
threaten all of humanity.

But Ratzinger must think, above all, of the Catholic Church which he leads, and from his
recent actions, it is clear that he has remained faithful to traditional positions....

"The Pope has lost some weight..."

Actually, he looked like he had gained a bit over Christmas. The Vatican should post daily facts about him on its website for his beloved fans: daily weight, temperature, meals, schedule, etc.


"...he is followed very closely by the papal physician Prof. Buzzonetti, who is also with him every time the Pope leaves the Vatican."

Does that include his nighttime excursions to his old apartment?

What IS he doing there? I'm still waiting for a response to my previous post on this subject from Maryjos and the Italian Sisters of the whatever it is their order is called. I know that if I lived in Rome, I would find out what he is doing, even if I ended up in jail over it.

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Scritto da: benefan 15/01/2006 19.47
"The Pope has lost some weight..."

Actually, he looked like he had gained a bit over Christmas. The Vatican should post daily facts about him on its website for his beloved fans: daily weight, temperature, meals, schedule, etc.


"...he is followed very closely by the papal physician Prof. Buzzonetti, who is also with him every time the Pope leaves the Vatican."

Does that include his nighttime excursions to his old apartment?

What IS he doing there? I'm still waiting for a response to my previous post on this subject from Maryjos and the Italian Sisters of the whatever it is their order is called. I know that if I lived in Rome, I would find out what he is doing, even if I ended up in jail over it.

---

benefan,

we should get a daily newsletter about everything he does.

If I lived in Rome......I had been taken to jail months ago....you know there's a policecar outside his appartment night and day, probably looking for people like you and me.

Today at the angelus I thought that Papa had lost weight but it suited him well.

Still it would be nice to know the exact time when Papa leaves the vatican to visit his old flat...just in case I might go back to Rome.....I won't need a hotel room.

JIL,

The news media say that Papa leaves the Vatican around 9 pm and is driven in a dark-colored car (with no Vatican markings on it) to his apartment so if you wear dark-colored clothes (perhaps a nun costume) and lurk near his apartment from approximately 8:45 till 10 pm nightly, you might see him. If the police ask what you are doing, you could say you are from Ratzigirl's order of Sisters on a pilgrimage to the pope's old neighborhood to pray for him. Of course, once he arrives, you will have to move swiftly to get to the front door before he does. I would suggest jogging for a few weeks before heading to Rome. Unfortunately, now that the media have spread the word that Papa has been making these visits, you might find a lot of others lurking on the street with you.

Jil,

Where can I download that beautiful vision in green that you use on your posts?

I think I like him best in green, or purple, or red, or white, or the cardinal's cassock, or . . .

Sylvia

….outside Piazza della Citta Leonina #1?

Hmmmm….. Sounds tempting, indeed. But there will be crowds of people queuing up by now, I guess……
Maybe Papa keeps cats?????? Anyway, good for him!!! I like the idea that he can sneak out of the “house” occasionally, to visit his old apartment or have a cup of coffee at a cafe.

From the Italian press -

“I wasn’t created for that!”

Here’s an item that somehow relates to the “Year of Two Popes” article. It’s the original report
in the Italian press of a controversial interview given by Cardinal Ratzinger to the German
magazine Bunte in 2003, during which he expressed concern about the Pope’s health.
[Thanks to Ratzigirl for the reprint]

It was reported later that the Prefect of the CDF was “rebuked” by Monsignor Stanislaw Dziwicz,
John Paul’s private secretary, for having made the remarks.

“The Pope is very sick. We should pray for him,“ Ratzinger is quoted as saying.

“Do you think the Pope is doing too much?” he was asked. “Most probably he is,” he answers.

But he said he was in no position to determine the Pope’s schedule. “That’s the responsibility
of others.”

In the interview, Ratzinger was asked about the next Pope. He answered it was possible that
the next Pope could be African. Asked to comment on speculation that he could be the
next Pope, he answered: “Oh my God, no! I wasn’t created for that!”

The magazine also quoted Ratzinger’s private secretary, Mons. Georg Gaenswein, saying about
John Paul: “He can no longer walk by himself, but for the faithful, he is heroic. The fact
that he continues to work despite his ailment makes him even more credible (as a spiritual leader).”

(At the time of the interview, Pope John Paul II was scheduled to preside at the canonization of
three saints, including the Italian Daniele Camboni, in ceremonies at St. Peter’s Square
on October 6).

Gaenswein said he did not think John Paul would stop travelling. “When he stops doing
that, then God will take him,” he said.


Has Benedict been “taking off” more than we know?

Shortly after the story that he has been seen visiting his old digs next to the Vatican at night
and staying in for a couple of hours, now comes an item in Famiglia Cristiana, Italy’s most
circulated Catholic magazine, saying that some time in the summer, while he was at Castel
Gandolfo, the Pope had a “brief vacation” in Ticino, the Alpine region north of Milan (between
Val d’Aosta and the Alto-Adige, the two other Italian Alps regions). Both Lago Maggiore and
Lago Lugano are in the southern part of Ticino.

Ratzigirl reports this in the main forum, but she has no other details.

Is it possible that the Pope can go so far from Rome without being reported, and for
more than a day?

It is possible he may have decided to take brother Georg, who was with him in
Castel Gandolfo, on a brief vacation in the mountains, as they have always done in previous
summers, since Georg was unable to come to Les Combes earlier.

But completely under the radar? Wow! If he did indeed pull this off, then God be praised.
Joseph Ratzinger aka Benedict XVI has more than just his handkerchief up that sleeve of his!

[Photo courtesy of Sylvie, who like Beatrice, finds it sweet that B16 keeps his hanky "the way Grandma did"!]


More old friends

Benedict XVI, preeminent resident of the region south of Rome called Castelli Romani (to which
Castel Gandolfo belongs), chatted with the mayor of Frascati, among others, during his New Year’s
meeting with the administrators of Rome, Lazio province and its towns and cities, two days ago.

According to Franco Posa, whose town lends its name to one of Italy’s famous wines, the Pope
asked him about the Catholic Community of Integration with headquarters at Villa Cavalletti
in Grottaferrata. The community
occupies several hectares of land between Frascati and Grottaferrata.

The community, which includes associations of lay apostolate and clergy, came to the attention
of Joseph Ratzinger in 1978 when he
was Archbishop of Munich-Freising. One of its founders, the theologian Ludwig Wemmer, who lectures
at Villa Cavalletti, was one of Ratzinger’s students in Regensburg. Wemmer’s sister, Rissi
Wintermayr, now runs the community, along with Don Alessandro Perego.

Over the years, Cardinal Ratzinger kept up his contacts with the community. From his visits,
Regine Gauger, a cook, remembers fondly the cardinal’s passion for Bavarian desserts, particularly
Bavarian strudel with vanilla sauce, which she prepared for him.

Menu for Ratzinger

Roberto Proscio, restaurant owner of Valmontone, spoke to the news agency adnkronos about
his friendship with the Pope, who as CDF Prefect, often visited the restaurant where Proscio was
manager for dinner. It dates back to Ratzinger’s early years in Rome, when he would come in with
his sister.


Proscio looks on as Ratzi signs his guest book; on the right, photo of a blessing ("May God bless
this house and its inhabitants") written by Ratzi and signed by him and Cardinal Bertone.

Proscio moved back to his hometown six years ago and opened his own restaurant on the highway
between Valmontone and Genazzano. The Pope asked about him earlier this week when he met
the mayor of Valmontone at the Vatican.

Proscio was very pleased to learn about the Pope’s interest and now hopes to be able to meet him
in private audience with his family. “If we are granted an audience, I will bring him one of
his favorite desserts.”

He recalls that Ratzinger usually ordered a light meal – a hot soup and cold cuts. But he did not
get to know Ratzinger’s real tastes in food not until he moved to Valmontone. “He came to us
several times, usually with the people who work with him, and I had occasion to serve him
a variety of dishes. He tasted everything that was suggested, never left anything on his plate,
and drank orange juice with everything.

“I know he doesn’t drink wine,” Proscio says, “but the next time I see him I will offer him
a toast with Italian spumante (the sparkling wine the cardinals used to toast him the night of
his election), but I will also offer a Bavarian equivalent.”

Proscio remembers a meal he served him in Valmontone: “After a visit to the Sanctuary of
the Madonna in Genazzano, he stopped here for a meal with a busload of pilgrims . I served him
homemade pasta with a sauce of gorgonzola (Italian blue cheese) and arugula, rigatoni with
bacon sauce, beef Wellington in a crust stuffed with ham and pate, and strudel for dessert.”

He says the cardinal was an enthusiast both of “prima piatti” (“first dish”, usually pasta, in
an Italian restaurant) as well as desserts.

“He willingly tried my strudel, but he liked to order the Bavarian version and other sweets.
I always pampered him.”

He was supposed to meet the Pope at Christmastime but his appointment was postponed.
Now that the Pope has sent him his best wishes through his town mayor, Proscio also intends to
invite him back to his restaurant.


Pope at the Creche

Now, we have an explanation for those 2 different photos of Papa kneeling before the Creche
in St. Peter’s Square on New Year’s Eve.

He did not proceed to the Creche on foot from the Basilica immediately after the Te Deum.
He shed his liturgical vestments and went back to the Papal apartments to get an overcoat
to wear out in the cold. By then, it had started to rain, so Giorgio also needed an umbrella
for the Pope.

They came up to the Creche in a car. The Pope was welcomed by Cardinal Edmund Szoka,
governor of Vatican city, and by a Swiss Guard band that had been playing Christmas carols
for a crowd that had gathered despite the rain. After greeting the pilgrims, the Pope knelt on
a prie-Dieu at the foot of the Creche to say a prayer. Afterwards, he went up to the
structure itself and knelt again in front of the Infant’s Cradle. He was also photographed
next to the larger-than-life statues of Mary and Joseph.

Before going back to his quarters, the Pope’s car drove alongside the police barriers
so he could greet the rest of the crowd, who greeted him with long applause and chants of
“Viva il Papa” .

[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 15/01/2006 23.34]