The Italian hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, summer host to popes for centuries, took on a new mission Thursday as it became the temporary home of the first "pope emeritus." Pope Benedict XVI will spend the first few months of his retirement in the papal summer residence, a complex of villas boasting lush gardens, a farm and stunning views over Lake Albano in the volcanic crater below the town.
A view of the Apostolic Palace and the pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo from Lake Albano. Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, is the summer residence of Popes. — Franco Origlia, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
A woman walks past the Apostolic Palace in the main square of Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. The Apostolic Palace and the pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo, totaling about 135 acres, are the summer residence of Popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave. — Franco Origlia, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
The garden inside the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will stay in Castel Gandolfo for approximately two months. — Max Rossi, Reuters , Feb. 21, 2013
A statue stands in the gardens of the pontifical residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. The Apostolic Palace and the pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, are the summer residence of Popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave. — Franco Origlia, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the pontifical residence at Castel Gandolfo near Rome, Italy. The Apostolic Palace and the pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo are the summer residence of Popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave. — Franco Origlia, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
A piece of a wall is shown inside the garden of the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
A statue stands in the gardens of the pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence where Pope Benedict XVI will stay for approximately two months before heading to his permanent residence inside the Vatican. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
A fountain inside the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI is seen in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
A view of Castel Gandolfo is seen from inside the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
A statue of Saint Peter is seen inside the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. The pope will live in Castel Gandolfo for several months before heading to a permanent residence in the Vatican. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
The main door of Castel Gandolfo's Apostolic Palace in the village of Castel Gandolfo, Italy, which is the summer residence for Pope Benedict XVI. The retired pope will stay at Castel Gandolfo for two months until the convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) at the Vatican is ready to host him. — Filippo Monteforte, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
The "Chinese room" is seen inside the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
Cows graze in the fields of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Pope Benedict XVI will stay in Castel Gandolfo until the convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) at the Vatican will be ready to host him. — Filippo Monteforte, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
A statue of the Virgin Mary is next to a pond, where in the past Pope Benedict XVI has been seen feeding the fishes, inside his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Italy. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
A statue of the Virgin Mary is reflected in a pond, where the pope in the past has been seen feeding the fishes, inside his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI will stay at the Vatican's summer residence, with it's extensive gardens, at Castel Gandolfo, Italy for approximately two months. The convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) at the Vatican will be his permanent residence. — Filippo Monteforte, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
The gardens of the pontifical residence at Castel Gandolfo near Rome, Italy. The Apostolic Palace and the pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, are the summer residence of Popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave. — Franco Origlia, Getty Images, Feb. 20, 2013
The garden inside the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI is seen in Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome. — Max Rossi, Reuters, Feb. 21, 2013
Members of the Swiss Guard prepare to close the doors to Pope Benedict XVI's residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, and transfer responsibility for his security to the police as he starts his retirement. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. — Oli Scarff, Getty Images, Feb. 28, 2013
