VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis surprises us all by opening the most private chambers of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo to the public, a move no head of the Roman Catholic Church has ever made before, Vatican sources said Friday.

 Anyone can now visit the pontiff’s bedroom at the palace in the Alban hills south of Rome. The most private and safeguarded areas of the palace shall soon be on show to the world. One can freely observe the furniture and paintings, and even look out of the same window Francis himself peered out of.

 The bedroom houses the same bed in which Pope Paul VI passed away and where, during the occupation, 38 babies were born, children of Jews hiding under the security of Pope Pius XII. In fact, the photo of those 20 mattresses on the floor, left there for those escaping oppression, still exists today.

 A few changes and adaptations have been made since then. The wood on the walls was replaced by a salmon coloured tapestry and the bronze on the chimney has been replaced by a 17^th century painting. The door remains intact however, as do the marble cornices and the white wooden panels.

 The palazzo in Castelgandolfo has now essentially become a glass house, transformed into a museum rich in history and points of interest. At the inauguration, a selection of popular Chinese music will be performed by a Chinese chorus, in an act demonstrating that diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Beijing are aligned through artistic collaborations.

 Various rooms in the summer residence of the pope were opened in 2015 in wait of the final most private room, the bedroom, soon to be on public display. The bathroom and tiny kitchen on the first floor of the building, used only to make a morning coffee, remain cornered off.

 Until now the area has always remained a mystery to tourists, with the exception of the pope's closest advisors, security team and a few ‘VIP’s. George Bush, for example, was allowed entry following the fall of the Twin Towers.

 However, despite the iconic grounds having been restricted from the public view, this did not mean various popes over the years did not ‘mingle’ with the people of this Castelli Romani town. Pope Pius XI loved to walk the streets and enter into civilian houses, sometimes lifting the lid of the pans on the stove to smell or taste the local cuisine cooked by the hands of his followers.  

 The most reserved part of the building consists of the library, the study and of course the bedroom with a sea-view. Without a doubt, the most significant is the Apostolic Palace, directly connected to the private chapel -- the same location where the current head of the Holy See and Pope Benedict XVI prayed in private.

 The Apostolic Palace is also home to the BMW used by Pope John Paul II during his summer vacations and the iconic balcony where the popes recited the Angelus, prayers said at morning, midday and evening commemorating the Annunciation and the Incarnation.

 The rooms shall be opened to the public on Oct. 21.

 sw