Pope bids farewell to Castel Gandolfo community

(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.