Pope’s general audiences to resume in September

01 July, 2013 - In view of reduced public activities of Pope Francis over the summer months, the Vatican on Monday announced that his General Audiences of Wednesday for August have also been cancelled. Earlier last month, the Vatican had announced that the Pope will be on vacation in July, during which all his public appointments will be suspended, including the weekly General Audiences of Wednesday. In August, however, the Pope will hold the Sunday midday ‘Angelus’ prayer and blessing in the Vatican. Unlike his predecessors, the Argentine Pope won't be vacationing at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo, just outside Rome, but will remain at the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. The Vatican on Monday also announced that Pope Francis will visit the Italian island of Lampedusa. On the Feast of the Assumption August 15^th, the Holy Father will celebrate Holy Mass in the Parish of Castel Gandolfo and later recite the Angelus prayer with the faithful at the papal summer residence in the Roman hill town. His general audience will resume on Wednesday September 4.