Papal Apartments

The Papal Apartments is the non-official designationLevillain, Philippe. " [http://books.google.com/books?id=FwRQPDxakygC The Papacy: An Encyclopedia] ." Trans. John O'Malley. Routledge: 2002, p. 72-73.] for the collection of apartments, both private and state, that wrap around a courtyard (the Courtyard of Sixtus V, "cortile de Sisto V") on two sides of the third floor (the top floor)" [http://www.cathnews.com/news/509/161.php Makeover for papal apartment] ." Catholic News 28 Sept. 2005.] of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City in Rome.Willey, David. " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4539613.stm Pope Benedict's creature comforts] ." BBC 13 May 2005.] Thavis, John. " [http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0600087.htm No place like home: Papal apartment gets extreme makeover] ." Catholic News Service 6 Jan 2006.] Since the 17th century the Papal Apartments have been the official residence of the Pope in his religious capacity (as Supreme Pontiff). Prior to 1870, the Pope's official residence in his temporal capacity as (sovereign of the Papal States) was the Quirinal Palace, which is now the official residence of the president of Italy. The Papal Apartments are referred to in Italian by several terms, including "appartamento nobile" and "appartamento pontificio".

The apartments include about ten large rooms including a vestibule, a small studio office for the papal secretary, the pope's private study, the pope's bedroom in the corner of the building, a medical suite (which includes dental equipment and equipment for emergency surgery), a dining room, a small living room, and the kitchen.. There is a roof garden and staff quarters for the nuns (German Benedictines) who run the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household (Papal Household). It is from the window loggia (decorated with frescos) of the study that the pope greets and blesses pilgrims to Saint Peter's Square on Sundays.. The private library, described as a "vast room with two windows overlooking Saint Peter's Square." The pope's private chapel has a piece of art, by I.H. Rosen and commissioned by Pope Pius XI that depicts "two episodes of Polish reistance (against the Tatars and against the Bolsheviks) framing the face of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa."

The pope is in official residence from October to June of each year; from July to September the pope is officially in summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Three of the last four popes (John XXIII, John Paul I, and John Paul II) all died in the Papal Apartments; the fourth, Paul VI, died at Castel Gandolfo.

The Papal Apartments are customarily renovated with each new pope, designed according to the preferences of the new pontiff. The last renovation was in 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI in the 2005 conclave. Reportedly the Papal Apartments had been in disrepair, with "outmoded furnishings and lack of lighting" and large drums placed in the false ceiling to catch water leaks. The project, carried out over three months while Benedict was in summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, included the building of the new library to accommodate Benedict's 20,000 books (placed in the exact same order as in his previous residence), upgrading for electrical wiring (125-volt electrical outlets, phased out in Italy years prior, were replaced with 220-volt outlets) and plumbing (New pipes were installed to replace those "encrusted with rust and lime"). The heating system was repaired and the kitchen was refurbished, reportedly with new ovens, ranges, and other appliances donated by a German company. The floors, which are 16th-century marble slabs and inlay, were restored. The medical studio ("hastily installed in the papal lodgings for the ailing John Paul II") was renovated and expanded to included dental facilities, and the papal bedroom was completely redone. Wallpaper and other furnishings were put in throughout. The project was carried out by over 200 architects, engineers, and workers. Benedict also moved personal possessions to the Papal Apartments, including an upright piano.

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