Pope preparing to return to the Vatican

(September 29, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI who is scheduled to return to Vatican City on Monday after some three months at the summer papal residence in the hill town of Castel Gandolfo, southeast of Rome, bade farewell to the authorities and citizens of the town and the staff of the papal palace. Saturday morning, he thanked the local bishop, the religious communities and lay groups of Castel Gandolfo for their hospitality, and invited them to continue making him feel their spiritual closeness even after his departure. He also thanked the civil authorities of Castel Gandolfo, promising to pray for the entire community, especially for families in need and for the sick. He particularly acknowledged the services of the Corps of Papal Gendarmes, the Italian State Police, the Swiss Guard and the 31st Squadron of the Italian Air Force. Earlier on Friday, he thanked the staff of the papal residence for their generous service in according him “serene and tranquil” moments in “family atmosphere and lively cordiality”. With the end of summer holidays life begins again with greater intensity and interest, so too, the Pope said, he had very significant events ahead. He is to visit the Marian sanctuary of Loreto, Italy, on Oct. 4 to mark the 50^th anniversary of the visit of Pope John XXIII there to entrust the great work of the Second Vatican Council to the Virgin Mary. Then there is the Oct. 7 - 28 Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization and the launching of the Year of Faith on Oct. 11. The Holy Father thus urged for prayers for these important Church events.