Domus Sanctae Marthae

Exterior

The Domus Sanctae marthae (latin: House of Saint Martha, Italian: Casa Santa Marta ) is the guest house in the Vatican. It serves as the living quarters of the Pope, as a guest house for church visitors and the accommodation of the cardinals during the conclave. It takes its name from the hl. Martha of Bethany, she is not only the patron saint of home economics, but also the restaurant owners, hoteliers, hospital administrators and caregivers of the dying.

History

This papal guesthouse in 1884 by Pope Leo XIII. (1878-1903) founded. It was first a hospital and was used during the cholera epidemic. Members of the Vatican and the surrounding area were treated in him. Later it was converted into a hostel for pilgrims and served after the Second World War as a hostel for refugees. Finally crafted John Paul II in 1978, the former hospice in the current papal guesthouse Domus Sanctae Marthae to. 1996, a total reconstruction measure was completed, the house was handed over by John Paul II, his determination. In times where no conclave must be held, it serves as a guest house for guests of the Pope and the Roman Curia.

The guest house

The five-storey house is situated behind the audience hall. The construction cost of the constructed under the direction of the American architect Louis D. Astorino building amounted to approximately 20 million U.S. dollars. In addition to the residential units, all of which are equipped with a private bathroom, there is also a restaurant, small stalls and shops that offer personal services. The budgetary management and the management is perceived by the Cooperative of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

When conclave

To perform a conclave of the Camerlengo, the Cardinal Secretary of State and the President of the Pontifical Commission are responsible for the State of Vatican City for the domestic preparations. The place of election is the Sistine Chapel, however apply to the guest house the same confidentiality provisions. The selection of participants will be driven to the ballots in a bus to the chapel. The residents are depending on features 106 guest suites and 22 single rooms. The distribution of the rooms on the Cardinals is done by lottery. During the conclave all electronic connections are disconnected to the outside world.

Others

After his election as pope in March 2013 Francis first lived in the guest house sanctae marthae because the papal apartment had to be prepared in the Apostolic Palace for him. When the apartment was ready for him, he moved in front of the Pope nevertheless, continue to reside in the guest house sanctae marthae. In support, he said, he liked to live "in the middle of the other members of the clergy ."