February 12, 2012 (Romereports.com) This is the monastery where Benedict XVI will retire once he is no longer Pope. It's a quiet residence inside Vatican walls, where the Pope will live a simple life, which will surely include reading and praying.


At this point the monastery is still undergoing repairs. So after February 28th,  the Pope will go to Castel Gandolfo, a town that's about an hour away from Rome, before returning to the Vatican.

The four level building is relatively simple. The only visual decoration are stained glass windows with sacred images, specifically designed for reflection and prayer.

The monastery 'Mater Ecclesiae' was built under the pontificate of John Paul II. Built in the 90's the late Pope said he wanted contemplative nuns to have a place for retreat and prayer, inside Vatican Walls.


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