Hello - has anyone been to Castel Gandolfo? We had planned to go to a Sunday papal blessing at end of September, but then we realized that the pope may still be at Castel Gandolfo. Any info much appreciated!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Here's the Pope's schedule of general audiences, from the http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/en/udienze_en.html, scroll down to Sept.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Castel Gandolfo is beautiful. We've been fortunate to be there when the Pope was (and wasn't) in town. If you're there a day when he is making an apearance, expect HUGE crowds and limited parking. We've been by car and motorino and definitely preferred the latter due to the parking and traffic issues! Price-gouging is pretty apparent at a few of the restaurants so KNOW what you're paying before ordering. It is a pretty little town, overlooking Rome on one side and a beautiful volcanic lake on the other.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
42 posts
Thanks Ron! For the papal blessing at noon, do you know if it's worth it to go if we plan on taking the train in the morning and getting there around 10, or is it so crowded that we wouldn't be able to get in the courtyard?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Christine, did you check the schedule (provided in the 1st post) to determine if he will still be there?
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
42 posts
It is unclear - they don't have the September schedule listed yet except for the visit to the UK. But the website elsewhere says that the Pope is in Castel Gandolfo Aug/Sep. It looks like a pretty area but if it's too much of a hassle or too crowded (that'll be one of our first days in Rome), then we may decide to pass on it...
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
The webpage provided in the 1st post seems to say: Angelus: at Castel Gandolfo, on Sunday 12, 26 * * * General Audience: in the Vatican, on Wednesday 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
42 posts
Unfortunately, we won't be in Rome for the Wednesday audience - this was for the Angelus. Thanks, though - this does confirm that he will be at Castel Gandolfo.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Christine, both times we saw the Pope in Gandolfo it was actually unintentional. We were driving in the area and remembered... it was Wednesday. So we got there about 11 - 11:15 both times and had no problem seeing him. It did get crowded - or at least as crowded as that area could get - but we had no issues (except parking the car!). I don't think we ever took the train to Gandolfo as we often rode the motorino to Frascati, Marino, Gandolfo, etc.
Posted by
Katy, Texas, USA
204 posts
I have been to Papal audience several times but the first was at Gondolfo. As I was standing in the front by the rope, the Pope picked me to talk to. It was short, of course, but seemed very sincere and most pleasant. In later audiences in the auditorium just off SP square, he twice chose my wife to talk to (different Pope) and again it was very short but quite pleasant.