Pope Benedict XVI greets various groups at Castel Gandolfo

(September 29, 2011) “At Castel Gandolfo one lives in constant contact with Nature and in an atmosphere of silence, both of which draw us nearer to God, giving us ample time to meditate without distractions: It gave me an opportunity to think study and meditate”. Pope Benedict XVI said this in his address on Wednesday to the employees of the Papal palace, as he approached the end of his 3-month summer holiday. He expressed gratitude for their attentive collaboration for arranging the Wednesday General Audiences and the Sunday Angelus prayer meetings in the courtyard of the Palace and the square in front of the Palace. He assured them that God will reward everyone with the abundance of his gifts of peace and protect them and their families. Hoping they would continue to pray for him even after his departure from Castel Gandolfo, the Pope urged them to lead their children on the path of Christian formation following catechetical instructions. Before his departure, Pope Benedict also thanked local authorities including Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano Diocese, the Pastor and the Parish Community and the Mayor along with the members of the Municipal Administration of Castel Gandolfo. The Pope said that he witnessed the concern and generous work of many people in providing assistance to him and his collaborators, as well as the guests and the pilgrims who came to visit him at his Summer Residence.