HISTORIC VATICAN PASSAGEWAY TO RE-OPEN   11-15-1999
    VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- A passage along the fortified wall between the Vatican and the Castel Sant' Angelo will soon be open to the public for the first time since 1870. 
    The "passetto," which has been the property of the Italian government since 1991, has been completely renovated during preparations for the Jubilee, and will be open to visitors in the year 2000. 

    This stretch of the wall has been closed since 1870, when the Vatican lost the last of the pontifical states and most of its property in the city of Rome. Since the Castel Sant' Angelo-- a building located about 800 yards from the Vatican itself-- was no longer the property of the Holy See, the passageway was no longer useful. 

    However, the "passetto" retains a strong historical significance. In May 1527, during the sack of Rome, Pope Clement VII made his escape all that passage to gain safety in the castle as the troops of Emperor Charles V rampaged through the city. During that battle, 147 of the 200 Swiss Guards protecting the Pope were killed.