August 26, 2011. (Romereports.com) It's tradition that every summer Benedict XVI meets with some his former college students. This year they are talking about the New Evangelization. The is being held at the Pope's summer residence at Castel Gandolfo that will last until Sunday August 28.


These meetings first began when Joseph Ratzinger left the classroom in 1977 to work at the Vatican. When he was elected pope in 2005, he continued this tradition of meeting with former students.

Among the participants is the cardinal and Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schönborn, the auxiliary bishop of Hamburg, Hans-Jochen Jaschke, the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Archbishop Bartholomew Adoukonou, as well as other professors, priests, religious and Catholic lay people.

The pope will celebrate Mass with them on the last day. The chosen theme is a preparation for the pope's meeting in October on the New Evangelization at the Vatican. It's also the theme for the Synod of Bishops which will be held in October 2012.

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