Pope Francis continues to live at St. Martha’s Residence

(March 27, 2013) Pope Francis has decided not to move, at least for now, into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, but to live at St. Martha’s Residence, the Vatican guesthouse, where he has been staying since the beginning of the conclave that elected him, the Director of the Vatican Press Office said on Tuesday. Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi said Pope Francis has moved out of the room he used before the conclave and into Suite 201, a room that has slightly more elegant furnishings and a larger living room where he can receive guests. He said after celebrating Mass in the chapel of “Casa Sancta Marta” Tuesday morning, Pope Francis hinted to those present that he will at least at this stage, stay and live with them at St. Martha’s Residence. Pope Francis has been there, since his election to the pontificate March 13, taking his meals in the common dining room and celebrating a 7 a.m. Mass with Vatican employees in the main chapel of the residence. When Pope Francis returned to the guesthouse after his election, Fr. Lombardi had said the move was intended to be short-term, while some work was completed in the papal apartments. He said Tuesday (March 26) that all the work had been completed, but at least for the foreseeable future, Pope Francis would not move in.
The Domus Sanctae Marthae, named after St. Martha, is a five-story building on the edge of Vatican City. It was built in 1996 specifically to house cardinals during a conclave. Fr. Lombardi said that for official audiences and for meetings with large groups, audiences with important visitors and so on, Pope Francis will go to the Apostolic Palace and meet them in the Clementine Hall, the private library and other rooms used for official papal activities.
Source: VR Sedoc