Published on Thursday, August 20, 2015 by Kathy McCabe At 136 acres, the grounds of the Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s private residence in Lazio, are larger than the entire Vatican City (108 acres). The land includes gardens, woodland, a working farm, beehives, a dairy, and even hay fields—but you don’t need to take our word for it. As of this this year, the public can tour these previously closed areas that are just ...

Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 by Kathy McCabe As of 8 p.m. local time, the Vatican's Swiss Guards are a protection force without a Pope to protect. Pope Benedict officially retired from the Papacy today as the Vatican is slated to announce Friday the date for the conclave to elect his successor.   According to  the Associated Press reporter who was at the Pope's summer/weekend residence, "As bells tolled, t...

Published on Friday, February 15, 2013 by Kathy McCabe With news of the Pope's resignation this week, many are wondering what comes next for the soon-to-be-former pope when he leaves his post. On his last day, February 28th, the pope will be helicoptered from the Vatican to the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo, in the hills outside Rome. Then at a later date, he will retire to a monastery within the Vatican walls....

Published on Monday, May 7, 2012 by Kathy McCabe A short train ride from Rome, Castel Gandolfo is a picturesque town with a population of about 8,000 people, overlooking Lake Albano. It is home to the Pope’s summer residence and is one of the Castelli Romani, historic hill towns located around the Alban Hills and dominated by impressive villas. In Piazza della Libertà, the main square, visit the Chiesa di San ...