Work has began on the Pope's residence during the WMF (15-07-2005)
Valencia - A team of architects and builders have began work in the Residence of the Archbishop of Valencia to qualify the first floor of the building as the “Pontiff´s apartment”, in which the Pope and his closest collaborators will stay during the WMF in Valencia.
According to the weekly dioceses publication Paraula, the surface that needs fitting out is 183 square meters and are located near the chapel of the building with views to the inner courtyard.
The Residence of the Archbishop is next to the Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Desamparados.
The refurbishment, coordinated by the valencian architect Jaime Aloy, allows to reorganise various old outbuildings of the Archbishop's Residence into three en-suite bedrooms of 12 square meters each and two of 20 square meters with attached offices.
Currently, the team of builders is taking out any metal shelves and antique furniture, to measure up the rooms to soon start with the structure work, the painting and carpeting. Works are expected to last for several months, according to Paraula.Also, other buildings affected by the work are the sacristy of the chapel, rooms that were currently in use for storage. Further, a big banner of the WMF has been set in place in the foyer of the Archbishop's Residence, at the entrance from the inner courtyard. It shows an image of the Pope and reads “Bendedicto XVI, ¡Te esperamos!” (Benedict XVI, We are waiting for you!)
AVAN