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Catholic World News News Feature

Pope begins Alpine vacation July 28, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI began his summer vacation on July 27, flying to northern Italy for a 2-week stay in the Alpine town of Bressanone.

The Holy Father appeared relaxed and happy as he arrived in Bressanone, returning greetings from local residents in both Italian and German; both languages are in regular use in the region. The Pontiff has stayed in Bressanone on several previous occasions, beginning in 1970 when he visited the town with his brother Georg and his late sister Maria.

Msgr. Georg Ratzinger is accompanying the Pope on this vacation trip. The two brothers, both music-lovers, are expected to make liberal use of a piano in the diocesan seminary where they are lodging. Otherwise Pope Benedict is expected to enjoy a quiet vacation, combining daytime walking excursions with reading and prayer.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told reporters that Pope Benedict might devote his free time to writing projects. The Pontiff is reportedly working on a second volume of his work on Christ, following up on Jesus of Nazareth. He may also be finishing work on a new encyclical devoted to Catholic social teaching.

The Pope will not hold his regular mid-week public audiences during his vacation; the Wednesday audiences will resume on August 13, after his return to the apostolic palace in Castel Gandolfo. He will, however, make midday appearances on the two Sundays that he will be staying in Bressanone, August 3 and 10, to lead the Angelus in the town square.