Papal staff to move with Holy Father when he retires
When Pope Benedict retires at the end of this month, he will be accompanied by the staff that have worked with him throughout his papacy, Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, director of the Holy See Press Office said during a press conference on Thursday.
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Prefect of the Prefecture of the Papal Household and secretary to Benedict XVI, will continue to carry out both roles and will thus accompany the Pope during his stay at Castel Gandolfo and at the monastery that he will retire to after his resignation from the papacy.
The papal household, or 'memores', the consecrated laywomen who belong to the Memores Domini Association of the Communion and Liberation movement, who have served the Holy Father during these past eight years will also move to the same monastery.
Fr Lombardi said the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, a building in the Vatican Gardens, is currently being renovated for their use.
Source: VIS