Pope starts vacation on Tuesday

(July 02, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI is starting his summer vacation on Tuesday, the Prefecture of the Papal Household announced on Saturday. The Pope will fly Tuesday afternoon by helicopter to the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo just south-east of Rome in the Alban hills. During his vacation until the end of July, all his private audiences will be suspended. Wednesday’s general audiences will also not take place during this period but will resume on August 1 in Castel Gandolfo and not in the Vatican. On Sundays and solemnities during this period, the Holy Father will recite the ‘Angelus’ publicly in the courtyard of the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo.
On July 2nd, after reciting the Sunday midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with thousands of pilgrims and visitors in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict wished all a happy holiday. In remarks in Polish, he wished that the holiday season of well-deserved rest be also an occasion to dedicate more time and attention to God and men, in order to deepen spiritual life thorough prayer, reading, contact with creation and in relaxed moments.