On his last day as Pope, Benedict will be flown by helicopter to the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, about 40 minutes southeast of Vatican City. This will be his home until he moves into a former monastery at the Vatican, currently under renovation. During her walking tour, Chris Jansing noted this has been the summer home to popes since the 1620s.
Beyond the facade and huge doors to the summer home, Jansing said “there is a huge villa with panaromic views of Rome. In fact, the space between the villas and the gardens that are behind these doors is actually bigger than all of Vatican City.” The summer residence also has a spectacular view of Lake Albano.
John Wilson