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During his trip to the Vatican to attend the upcoming canonization of Pope Paul VI, Vice President Chen Chien-jen and his delegation visited the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo on the afternoon of October 12 (Friday) local time (the night of October 12 Taipei time).
After arriving, Vice President and Mrs. Chen were met by Osvaldo Gianoli, Director of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo. They first toured the Papal Palace, and then viewed portraits and artifacts of former popes in the Vatican Museums. They also visited the private rooms at the Papal Palace used by 15 popes. Pope Paul VI, who is soon to be canonized, died there on August 6, 1978 of a heart attack, so the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo has both religious and historical significance.
The vice president and his wife then visited the Palace gardens, and prayed the Rosary before a statue of the Virgin Mary, seeking blessings for the world and the people of Taiwan. Next they visited the shelter for refugees and other scenic sites with religious and historical significance, where they learned about the humanitarian spirit of Pope Pius XII, who opened up the Papal Palace as a sanctuary for nearby residents during the Second World War.
The Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo has been a summer getaway for popes since the early 16th century. It includes three official residences (the Papal Palace, the Villa Barberini, and the Villa Cybo) as well as gardens and a farm.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵) and ROC Ambassador to the Holy See Matthew S.M. Lee (李世明) accompanied Vice President and Mrs. Chen on the tour.
