On the last day of his pontificate, Benedict XVI will be filmed live by television cameras during his final hours in the Vatican, according to Monsignor Edoardo María Viganó, director of the Vatican Television Center (VTC), who explained that the Pontiff’s departure to Castel Gandolfo by helicopter “will be a historic moment.”
Italian Radio and Television (RAI) is also planning to broadcast the images of those final moments to all continents. The VTC will use 26 television cameras to follow the event, as well as the conclave and the future pope.
“We are planning to report on these moments respecting the Pope’s person and informing the faithful who wish to support Benedict XVI at such an important moment.” Therefore, television cameras will be in the Apostolic Palace and will follow him until 5:00 pm when the Pontiff will board the helicopter that will take him to Castel Gandolfo. His resignation will come into force three hours later, initiating the period of the Vacant See.
To what point will the television cameras be able to film the Holy Father without invading his privacy? In statements to ANSA news agency, The VTC’s director, priest and president of the Ente Espectaculo Foundation and professor at the Pontifical Lateran University, pointed out that last Sunday a television camera entered the Pope’s study for the first time during the recitation of the Angelus. On Sunday “we were able to film Benedict XVI from behind, what in journalistic jargon is called contracampo,” he said. “We succeeded in giving an idea of the great embrace between the Pope and the crowd gathered in Saint Peter’s Square,” adding that the images will also be available for distribution. Extraordinary historic documentation will be obtained on the last day of the pontificate, which will be able to be used by scholars, researchers and documentary producers of the television networks. On arrival in Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father will greet the faithful of the Diocese of Albano, the local bishop, Marcello Semeraro, announced today.
