60 more days...

Going to the Vatican?
Meet the Pope!

Just like everywhere else you visit, knowing a bit more about the history and personal side of the people, places, and things can make your trip all the more interesting. So knowing that, let's meet the Pope!

And in case you are wondering, this is real information. Many of the leads for this blog post come from reputable sites, such as http://www.popevisit2008.com/.



Interesting facts about...
Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI

• On April 16th, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate his 83rd birthday.
• Pope Benedict XVI has a pilot's license for the papal helicopter and likes to fly from the Vatican to the papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo.

• But the pope does not have a driver's license as he never learned to drive a car.
• Weideneder Brau Vertriebs GmbH, a family-owned brewery in nearby Tann, Germany, has created a special brew called Pabstbier/Pope Beer. The label reads, "Dedicated to the Great Son of our Homeland, Pope Benedict XVI." (Could you imagine hanging out with His Holiness, and sharing a Pope Bier?  That would be pretty chill!) 

• Pope Benedict XVI is fluent in German, English, Italian, French, and Spanish and has knowledge of Portuguese. He can read ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew. Naturally, he can also speak classical Latin. (I wonder if he learned any of this from Karen's language blogs...)
• Pope Benedict XVI loves cats and has two of his own. One was a stray which he found in Rome.  (Coddies!!!  Don't tell me...  Goody and Boody?!?!?!)
• The Holy Father still has the stuffed animals his mother made for him when he was a child.  (I still have my teddy bear...  Me and the Pope have something in common!)
• Pope Benedict XVI's favorite meal is Bavarian potato ravioli with pancake strips. (Yeah!  Like, who's favorite isn't?!?!)
• Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope at the age of 78. He is the oldest person to have been elected pope since Clement XII in 1730.

• The Holy Father enjoys playing the piano and listening to the music of Mozart and Bach daily.
• Pope Benedict XVI is the first pope to own an iPod. (And certainly, will not be the last.  Rock on!)

Popes are People, too!
Fun with a past Pope

Playing bocce after church on Sundays is a time-honored tradition in Bella Italia.  In fact, brunch and bocce (a.k.a. “Brocce”) is so popular even the Pope gets in on the action.

John Paul II hams it up, playing with the camera men and the sea of telephoto lenses.

Pope John Paul II has a close encounter with a white dove released by children. (January 2005)

60 more days!