The Pope’s day begins at 7 a.m. with Mass; one hour later breakfast is served. At 9 a.m. the Pope goes into his private study, the one where he recites the Angelus prayer every Sunday, speaking from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. He does his work in the study, where another consecrated laywoman, Birgit, helps him in her role as secretary and typist — she can read Benedict’s tiny handwriting better than anyone else. (See pictures of the Path of Pope Benedict XVI)
Following Birgit in the study is Gänswein, the Pope’s secretary, to discuss the day’s agenda. Typically, the Pontiff works until 11 a.m., when audiences, or meetings, begin. At 1:15 p.m. lunch is served, with the secretaries and the memores sitting at the table with Benedict.
After a brief stroll in the roof garden, the Pope rests, to return to his private study at 4 p.m. He says the rosary and then resumes his work. After a prayer, dinner is served at 7:30 p.m., in time to watch the 8 p.m. newscast on RAI, the Italian state broadcaster. An hour later, the Pope says good night and retires, though he works some more before going to sleep.
(Via: Challies.com)
April 21st, 2011 | 7:32 am
The story is told of reporters reviewing the schedule of John Paul II during the years of his greatest powers (late 1980′s I think). A reporter commented, “Holy Father, when do you get some free time?” JP II smiled and said, “All my time is free!”
A beautiful insight, formed in part I would believe by the memory of nearly losing his life to an assassin’s bullet.