(September 27, 2010) As Pope Benedict is preparing to return to the Vatican on Thursday
after his summer at the papal summer residence in the hill town of Castel Gandolfo,
outside Rome, he bade farewell to the ecclesial and civil community there thanking
them for making his stay a serene and profitable one. On Monday, he first met local
Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano and later a delegation of the Castel Gandolfo community,
including civil, military, religious and other groups, assuring them of his constant
prayers. But before leaving, he said he wanted to draw their attention to St. Vincent
De Paul, the saint of the day who was proclaimed the patron of charitable works by
Pope Leo XIII. Through his unceasing apostolic action, the Pope said, the apostle
of charity had made the Gospel a shining light of hope and love for the people of
his time, especially the poor in body and spirit. He prayed that St Vincent De Paul
instil in them and in their communities a renewed commitment to solidarity so that
everyone may cooperate in building the common good. Pope Benedict had left for Castel
Gandolfo on July 7 for his annual vacation until August 3, after which he continued
to spend his summer there.