Surprise! New Pope takes a walk through Rome

Catholic WEorld News ^ | April 20, 2005 | Catholic World News

[ELS]

Rome, Apr. 20 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI made his first public appearance on the streets of Rome on Wednesday afternoon, April 20, as he visited his old apartment near Vatican City to transfer some belongings to his new home in the apostolic palace.

The newly elected Pope, clothed completely in the distinctive white vestments of the papacy, caught onlookers by surprise when he chose to travel on foot, walking the few hundred yards to the apartment in the Citta Leonina where he had lived for years. When the news spread that the Pontiff was walking through the city, hundreds of people quickly gathered, and he spent some time in front of the apartment building, greeting the people and blessing young children. Italian police and Vatican security officials did their best to control the crowd, preserving some breathing room for the Pontiff.

After a short stay in his old apartment, the Pontiff reappeared, entering a black car that was waiting for him at the entrance of the building. He paused again to wave to the crowd, turning slowly from one direction to another so that he could greet as many as possible. The crowd burst into cheers of "Long live the Pope!" and the chant that has already become familiar: "Benedetto!" Pope Benedict later commented that he was "very moved" as he resumed direct contact with the faithful.

Pope Benedict had occupied the apartment in Citta Leonina until moving into the Vatican's St. Martha residence, along with all the other cardinal-electors, to begin the conclave on April 18.

Earlier in the day, the new Pope had taken possession of his new apartments in the apostolic palace. He was accompanied by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo (bio - news), the camerlengo, who had sealed off those apartments after the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

[ELS]

Benedict XVI wasn't kidding when he said he was simple and humble!

[ELS]

Ping worthy?

[el_chupacabra]

That is certainly "ping-worthy"!

Viva Il Papa!

[RobbyS]

if he could he would stay in his old apartment. Now he is a bird in a guilded cage.

[texasflower]

That's very nice. I'm not Catholic, but it seems you guys have a good man.

[Pyro7480]

In this photo made available by the L'Osservatore Romano Vatican newspaper, Pope Benedict XVI walks through the Papal apartments at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, visited his new residence inside the Vatican Wendesday. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

In this photo made available by the L'Osservatore Romano Vatican newspaper, Pope Benedict XVI looks out from a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, visited his new residence inside the Vatican Wednesday. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

Pope Benedict XVI greets a crowd outside his residence in the Vatican, April 20, 2005. The pope moved swiftly on the first day of his reign on Wednesday to allay fears of a rigid, authoritarian papacy, saying he would work for dialogue both within the Church and with other faiths. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd gathered in front of his former private home in Rome, Wednesday, April 20, 2005. The Pontiff, former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, exited the Vatican City Wednesday for a quick visit to his former home. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

[GipperGal]

Let's hear it for Big Ben!

[GipperGal]

Hey, love that Tolkien quote. Was that from one of his letters?

[Pyro7480]

I found it in a publication that I read monthly.

[socialismisinsidious]

thanks for the photos!
printing them off so my kids can take them to school (it goes without saying that they don't go to government school)

[MattinNJ]

I heard that he loves to go to a local German restaurant. I guess he can't do that anymore.

[SuziQ]

I talked to my brother in law, who is a priest, last night, and he said that Cardinal Ratzinger used to show regular tourists around St. Peter's if he came upon them while he was passing through. Many didn't know who he was, because he only wore a plain black cassock. They just thought he was a priest who lived in Rome. Simple and humble, indeed.

[shhrubbery!]

No matter how much the media try to demonize him, you can see in these pictures that new pope is a gentle, humble man, a true agnus dei --not THE Lamb of God, of course, but a worthy successor of Peter.

His smile is full of joy and love. God help him, and us, that the hatred being directed his way not dim that joy.

[Yardstick]

I second your comments.

[ArrogantBustard]

Oh, no: He's totally incapable of connecting with the people.

CNN told me so.

[firewalk]

bttt

[Petronski]

Benedict is pretty cool.


I think we'll keep him. ;O)

[TNCMAXQ]

How odd seeing another man in that white cassock and cap after we had been used to John Paul for decades. But time marches on.

Interesting that he is the first pope in decades who does not have to "move" to Rome as he was already located there. He is also the first pope since Pius 12 who was not currently a bishop when he was elected. If I am not mistaken he was archbishop of Munich but he left that position in 1981.

[onyx]

Whoa... absolutely grand.
"Benedetto" - he's already loved.

Thanks for the fabulous photos, pyro.

*pics of Pope and people ping*

[Rightfootforward]

Neat photos, many thanks!
Looks to me like Pope Benedict XVI already has his act together and is taking it out on the road. Good for him!