Il Papa Vacationing in the Italian Alps

Pope Benedict XVI began his 17-day Alpine vacation Tuesday at the chalet he stayed in last year and where his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, used to spend his holidays, according to Catholic Online. The Pope is staying at a residence belonging to the Salesian Order, about 12 miles from the city of Aosta.

Those visiting Rome between from July 11 on, should keep in mind that the Pope will not be making his regular appearances at St. Peter’s Basilica. Benedict’s only public appearances will be the praying of the weekly Sunday Angelus on July 16 and July 23 from his residence.

Following his Alpine respite, Benedict will spend the rest of the summer at Castel Gandolfo, the Papal residence outside of Rome. (For more on visiting Castel Gandolfo and other treasures in the Alban Hills, see Dream of Italy’s November 2004 issue.)

According to Catholic Online, “Over the summer period, all private and special audiences are suspended. The general audiences will resume regularly from Wednesday, Aug. 2, and the Sunday Angelus throughout August and into September at Castel Gandolfo.”