(28 July 2006) : Pope Benedict XVI attended a farewell party at his Salesian Alpine
vacation lodge in Les Combes on Wednesday July 26th, in honour of Joaquin
Navarro Valls, director of the Vatican press office for the last 22 years. The Holy
Father had invited the former press director to accompany him while on holiday in
the Italian Alps. The Pontiff bid farewell to Navarro Valls with words of esteem and
affection. Persons accompanying the Pope on his vacation attended the party, including
those in charge of his security. The Pope took advantage of the occasion to thank
his "guardian angels" for their work to ensure a peaceful vacation for him. The
Pope accepted the resignation of 69-year old Navarro Valls who formally stepped down
from his post on July 11, and was replaced by Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi as the
new director of the Vatican press office. Fr. Lombardi is also director general of
Vatican Radio and director of the Vatican Television Centre. Having completed his
Alpine vacation, Pope Benedict left Les Combes in Valle d’Aosta on Friday evening
for Castel Gadolfo, south of Rome, where he will spend the remaining weeks of the
summer. Pope Benedict will lead the Angelus each Sunday from the papal residence in
Castel Gandolfo. But he will travel to Rome to hold his Wednesday public audiences
in St. Peter's Square, beginning 2nd August.