We all scream

The Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo is surrounded by a lake and mountains. It’s the Pope’s summer residence.

During the month of August, Benedict XVI is taking advantage of the freshness of the landscape. And he can’t pass by the ice cream shop near his residence without having one himself, like anyone else.

That’s why Alfredo Carosi, the owner of the store, started a tradition that’s repeated every summer: “We have a tradition of inviting the Pope to enjoy some of our ice cream on August 15 every year”, he says. “We send 15 cups to the palace for his colleagues as well.”

The ice cream parlour has many flavours including cherry, vanilla and whipped cream, topped with chocolate and caramel – all favourites of Benedict.

This bar founded in 1897 holds many of the Pope’s gastronomic secrets. Apart from ice cream, the owner made two breakfasts for John Paul II. “He had breakfast here”, says Carosi, “a fruit salad, cheese, rosetta, a typical kind of bread, and ham. He was such a human person, so uncomplicated and he didn’t try to keep a distance.”