The Head of the Catholic Church- Pope BENEDICT XVI
One of the many interesting facts about Rome is that is the only city in the world with a country within it. That state is the Vatican, house of one of the most important spiritual icons in the world: the pope.
The pope at the moment is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Germany. Joseph’s vocation for priesthood was evident from the beginning. When he was five years old he announced his parents he wanted to become a cardinal, and after the dreadful experience of the Second World War he entered the seminar.
The future pope was soon recognized as a brilliant theologist and went on to became archbishop of Munich and Freising, a charge he kept for five years until he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by pope John Paul II. From this position he defended an orthodox view of the Catholicism and became one of the nearest and most appreciated collaborators of the pope, who allegedly turned down his resignation three times.
When the time came to elect a new pope the name of Ratzinger was often given as one of the favourites which was seen by many as a signal that he wouldn’t be elected since only rarely that kind of “papal predictions” come true.
This time they did, anyway, and Joseph Ratzinger is now the pope, under the name of Benedict XVI, chosen by himself as an homage to pope Benedict XV and Saint Benedict of Nursia.
During his pontificate Benedict XVI has tried to stress the continuity in the traditions of the catholic church, assuming an orthodox approach to religion and even using some papal garments that haven’t been used for decades.
When at Rome there are two chances two see the pope. One is through the Wednesday audiences held in San Peter’s Square or in Castel Gandolfo, depending of the season. To attend an audience it’s necessary to have tickets, which are available for free upon request to the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The other way to see the pope is the Sunday Angelus led by the pope on Saint Peter’s Square every Sunday at noon. No tickets are required to attend.
Some tour companies are able to take you to the papal audience saving you the trouble to write to get the tickets. If you are staying at Hotel Des Artistes in Rome our staff will be more than happy to help you to make such arrangements!
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