Some details on Benedict XVI’s first day of retirement

I doubt we’ll get these kinds of details very often in the coming weeks, months, and years – so here is an interesting glimpse into how Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI plans to spend his days of retirement. One thing it doesn’t appear to include: sleeping in. From Vatican Information Service:

Today, as always, His Holiness celebrated Mass at 7:00am and then prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. In the afternoon he has another walk planned at 4:00pm, through the gardens of the Castel Gandolfo Apostolic Palace, to pray the rosary. Benedict XVI brought with him various books on theology, history, and spirituality. At the moment he is reading from a book by the Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthazar.

The news bulletin also notes that yesterday, after arriving at Castel Gandolfo and briefly touring his new residence, Benedict “went to bed and slept very well.”


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About Catherine Harmon 577 Articles
Catherine Harmon is managing editor of Catholic World Report.