In 2015, the Vatican is planning to conduct public
tours of the working farm at Castel Gandolfo, the
papal summer residence. The estate is about 1.25
times the size of the Vatican and located about 25
kilometers (15 miles) south of Rome. At the request
of Pope Francis, tours were started in March 2014 of
the surrounding gardens, fountains and
archaeological treasures of the estate and they have
been very successful, with 8,000 visitors so far. The
farm produces the dairy, meat and vegetables for the
Pope and his staff. Pope Francis does not use the
hilltop retreat overlooking Lake Albano, but instead
prefers to stay put in his suite at the Santa Marta
hotel at the Vatican during his vacations. The public
will be able to see the free-range chickens, ostriches,
turkeys, rabbits and 80 cows that feed Pope Francis
and his staff. Pope Pius XI had the farm built
between 1929 and 1934, and it still operates
according to the agricultural methods of the time.
Synthetic chemicals are used only when strictly
necessary. Eight people currently tend the animals
and vegetable patch where potatoes, zucchini,
tomatoes and other produce are grown. One of the
staffers, Emilio Scarsella, has been working there 33
years and made milk, yogurt, butter and cheese for
four popes. Plans are not final yet, but possibly tour
visitors may be able to taste the products of the farm.
A new cook book has been published entitled “
Buon Appetito, Swiss Guard” which revels the
favorite recipes and particular tastes of Pope Francis
and his two predecessors, Benedict XVI and John
Paul II. It describes some of the classic dishes from
their home countries of Argentina, Germany and
Poland. The book was compiled by David Geisser, a
24 –year old soldier from Zurich who joined the
Swiss Guard in 2013, having been a professional
cook in civilian life. Text was written by Erwin
Niederberger, 36, who was a trained pastry chef in
Zug before joining the Swiss Guard in 1999. The
idea for the book came from their commandant who
checked out his new recruits backgrounds. The book
also reveals a lot about the daily lives and history of
the Swiss Guard. “Dulche de leche” , a milk pudding
is one of Pope Francis’s favorite dishes. He also like
spicy empanadas, as well as “colita de cuadril”, or
grilled sirloin steak. The new book is published in
German, and if popular will be published in English
in 2015.
Sources: mv.vatican.va, The Guardian
Vatican Corner 1-4-15
