Faith

Little engine that could: Pope coaxes Vatican to open railway to villa

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 10:00:24 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' desire for a Church whose doors are wide open isn't just a metaphor for encouraging a greater spirit of welcoming.

Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:00:00 -0400

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Francis is shunning the expansive papal summer palace in Castel Gandolfo for the third time since 2013, a choice that is causing frustration among locals who rely on the tourists a papal visit brings.

With no Pope in residence, Vatican opens gardens of papal villa

Sun, 10 Aug 2014 08:00:00 -0400

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - The aisle is paved with stone from an ancient Roman road; the apse is made of carefully trimmed evergreen bushes; the columns are tall, thin cypress trees; and the nave is a lily pond, complete with gold fish.

Pope Benedict's last trip is 15-minute helicopter ride

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:00:46 -0500

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI's final trip as pope was a 15-minute helicopter ride from the Vatican to the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo.

Vatican says 2.3 million people joined pope for Vatican events in 2012

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 10:33:22 -0500

VATICAN CITY - More than 2.3 million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Benedict XVI for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican or Castel Gandolfo in 2012, the Vatican said.