Pope Francis said: "300 People Could Live Here!"

Canterbury Tales ^ | March 22, 2013 | Taylor Marshall

[NYer]

Bird's Eye View of Saint Peter's

& the Apostolic Palace

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has yet to take residence in the papal apartments known as the "Apostolic Palace" in the Vatican. If you've been to Rome, and you're facing the facade of Saint Peter's basilica, it would be to your right (to the north). Please see the photo above.

When escorted through the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis is rumored to have exclaimed, "Three hundred people could live in here!"

In the mean time, Pope Francis has remained in the Vatican's guest house Domus Sanctae Marthae - House of Saint Martha, appropriately named after the saint of hospitality:

"Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house." (Lk 10:38)

This guest house has a common dining hall where Pope Francis has chosen to take his meals.

One of the important features of the papal apartment is the window from which the Pope appears every Wednesday for the Angelus, a message, and the blessing of items. There is also some speculation that Pope Francis may be moving his residence to the traditional cathedral of Rome - Saint John Lateran. This would conform to the Holy Father's identity as the Bishop of Rome since Saint John Lateran, not Saint Peter's Basilica is the true cathedral of the city.

(For more on the relationship between Saint John Lateran to the Vatican, please see my new book: The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholicism).

If the Holy Father moved to Saint John Lateran across the city, it would be a clear message that he wishes to be away from the Curia and ecclesiastical machinery.

Like other outward elements (black shoes, or whatever) these things don't ultimately matter. However, it does help us to understand the man who is Pope Francis. How he thinks. How he perceives his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. I find it all very fascinating.

Now it's your turn: What do you think? Would it be good for the Pope to insulate himself from the Apostolic Palace? Does the presence of the Pope at the Vatican provide checks and balances against a Curia that may need a little reining in? Please share a comment below.

[ansel12]

we know that he chose to reside in a small apartment

Do we know anything at all about that apartment, or it's size?

[NYer]

Do we know anything at all about that apartment, or it's size?

By now, the internet is flooded with photos of him before, during and after the conclave. The only description I can find is "small and simple". Here are some photos from before the conclave.

His mode of transportation

On board the bus

Visiting the needy

Washing and kissing the feed of youth

Kissing the feet of the disabled

Drinking his favorite beverage

I think we can conclude from how he ministered to the christian community in Buenos Aires and his actions since being elevated to pope - personally paying his hotel bill, riding the shuttle bus with the cardinals, celebrating 7 am mass with the Vatican workers, to stopping the popemobile, descending and going over to bless and embrace this man ....

.. and now learning that he does not want to reside in the papal apartments, that this pope genuinely embraces poverty, humility and has a pastor's heart.

God has sent us the right man for our time.

[NYer]

Lots of cash to pay for the Lawyers.

Please clarify your statement; I really do not understand it.

[NYer]

I admire Francis’ desire to live a simpler life, but I am concerned with security.

You and the Gendarmerie. One Rome correspondent spoke to the head of his security detail and asked how things were going. He said he was touched by the sincere desire of the new pope to be among the people and that he and his team were watching out for him.

Individuals such as Pope Francis, place their total trust in God. They accept that such a public position comes with inherent risks while entrusting it to God. His will be done!

[ansel12]

we know that he chose to reside in a small apartment

I thought that was a strange statement, since you know that we don't know anything at all about it really, not even it's size.

[NYer]

I thought that was a strange statement, since you know that we don't know anything at all about it really, not even it's size.

We know that he gave up the Bishop's Residence in favor of a "small" apartment. Where os there any confusion? What are you suggesting? Why don't you research the size of his apartment and post it to the forum.

[steve86]

Reportedly 56.6520021 square meters for tax purposes. The legal minimum size of an apartment in most of the EU is 9 sq meters and this would be a big closet. A one bedroom apartment is taken to be 70 sq meters or less.

[ansel12]

I thought that my question to you was appropriate and going to the right person.

To: NYer

we know that he chose to reside in a small apartment

Do we know anything at all about that apartment, or it's size?
21 posted on 3/23/2013 1:00:24 PM by ansel12

[ansel12]

Would you mind posting the link to the article?

[Kickass Conservative]

I'm in S. CA.

The Los Angeles Archdiocese is still being sued for Cardinal Mahony’s misconduct in protecting Pedophile Priests.

Before you ask, I was born and I will die a Catholic.

[Cronos]

Technically the ArchBasilica of St. John di Laterano is an exclave of the city-state of the Vatican. Which means, that just as hawaii is an outpost of the USA, St. John the Lateran as well as the other ArchBasilicas in Rome are not in Italy but in the city-state of the Vatican

[married21]

Cool. Thanks for the information.