Vatican City, Jul 28, 2009 / 08:21 am
The Italian mountain town near the chalet where Pope Benedict is spending his vacation has unanimously decided to make him an honorary citizen.
The Holy Father has been staying in Les Combes, which is located in the territory of Introd. The Introd town council voted at a meeting last week to confer honorary citizenship on him.
Osvaldo Naudin, mayor of Introd, announced the decision today and explained that the citizenship would be bestowed on Benedict XVI this winter in Rome. It will most likely take place in December when a delegation from Introd makes a traditional visit to the Vatican to wish the Pope a Merry Christmas.
Pope Benedict has spent his July holiday in the vicinity of Introd on three occasions, in 2005, 2006 and 2009, while the town has hosted vacationing Pontiffs on a total of 13 occasions. Benedict will leave the alpine chalet in Les Combes for his summer residence at Castelgondolfo tomorrow.