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	Santa Marta: Bishops to Stay Far from Prying Media By Paddy Agnew Irish Times February 15, 2010 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0215/1224264467068.html ROME -- WHEN BISHOP Joseph Duffy of Clogher, head of the Irish Bishops Communications Commission, briefed Irish journalists yesterday on this week's two-day meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and the Irish bishops, he did so in the familiar surrounds of the pontifical Irish College in Rome. For many years now, most Irish bishops visiting Rome stay at the college. Not this time, however.This week the bishops will be staying in the Santa Marta residence inside the Vatican, just to the left of the Basilica of St Peter. This building, the equivalent of a three-star hotel, is famous as the place where all the elector cardinals stayed during the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict. Revamped and modernised on the recommendation of pope John Paul II, the Santa Marta has the priceless advantage of being literally "inside" the Vatican and far from prying media eyes. For pope John Paul II, this was an important consideration when it came to a papal conclave. For Pope Benedict, it may well be an equally important consideration when it comes to a two-day meeting with the Irish-bishops. The meeting itself, which takes place in the Apostolic Palace, will consist of three sessions, two today and one tomorrow. The working language will be English and the Pope is expected to attend all three sessions, although this has not yet been confirmed. As well as 24 Irish bishops, led by the Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Sean Brady and by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, most of the curia heavyweights will attend, including secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; prefect for the congregation of bishops Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re; prefect for the congregation for the doctrine of the faith Cardinal William Levada; prefect for the congregation of the clergy Cardinal Claudio Hummes; and prefect of the congregation of consecrated life (religious orders) Franc Rode.
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