In an article about the remodel of the Papal apartments the Pope said.
"I really like my new library, with that antique ceiling. For me it’s like being surrounded by friends, now that there are books on the shelf," he said.
I can relate
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“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ~ Cicero
Books=friends, yes, I can relate, but what has the antique cieling got to do with the price of tea in China?
What, no Precious Moments figurines? 😉
The “antique ceiling” is not his doing. Realize the Papal apartments in the apostolic palace were constructed centuries ago. It’s “antique” now, but was new when they put it in, LOL.
Realize that Pope Benedict has gone from living in an apartment that was built fairly recently (with modern heating, plumbing, etc.) to living in a very nice, yet older apartment. Yes, better view; but not so good heat & air conditioning.
Oh I say antique any time. I hope he loves it all.
Books=friends, yes, I can relate, but what has the antique cieling got to do with the price of tea in China?
I assume he is merely being colloquially descriptive.
“I like my library”
which one?
“The one with that antique ceiling.”
And so forth…
Okay, is it a sin to wish I had 20,000 books, too?
Now if they would just let him keep his cats in the Papal Apartment…then he would really be happy.
Despite all the stories about B-16 and cats, he doesn’t have any, he never owned cats as an adult. He just has a cat figurine among his possessions. (That’s what I’ve heard anyway…)
Could he also mean antique ceilings that tend to be higher than the mere 10′ ceilings we tend to have now? I mean, if you have a 20′ ceiling, that means you can stack books TWICE as high!
“Could he also mean antique ceilings that tend to be higher than the mere 10′ ceilings we tend to have now?”
They are certainly higher than modern ceilings. Speaking as someone who loves old houses and old buildings, I appreciate those “antique ceilings” which, aside from being higher than modern ceilings (thus giving you a greater sense of space), also have a lot more character. Those old ceilings, with their moldings — and in some cases, inlaid artwork or carvings — have a lot more personality than those plain ceilings with “minimalist” (for lack of a better word) light fixtures.
Speaking also as a lover of books, I can’t think of a more tranquil place to work in than a high-ceilinged library filled with all my books. I have been surrounded by books all my life, and I can’t imagine not being with them wherever destiny takes me. I am very happy Il Papa is now settled in nicely with his “old friends”, and most probably, a collection of classical music CDs — it is lovely to think of him sitting in his library, silently reciting Vespers from his Breviary or softly playing a Mozart sonata on his piano while dusk falls over Rome. If he finished writing his first encyclical in such serene surroundings, it will surely be magnificent reading for us.
Pope Benedict having 20,000 books makes me feel much better at my collection. Goodness! I thought I had a lot.
I am very pleased he is happy with his new library. And I hope he can sit and relax and catch up on his favourites in the spare time he may be allowed during the course of his duties.
Likewise, I hope he can listen to his classical music also.
The Vatican is his home now, so hopefully, he will find it to be cosy and comfortable in accord with his tastes and wishes.
God bless him!