Nelle Vacanze

This morning, the Pope left Rome by helicopter for Lorenzago di Cadore in the Dolomite mountains, where he'll remain through the 27th.

Aside from his Sunday Angelus talks over the next three weeks, officially speaking, B16 will be making no public appearances, nor taking audiences of any kind, until August 1.

However, that doesn't exclude the likelihood of a scenic stroll-cum-photo-op... and maybe an impromptu press conference. It's happened before.

At the end of his mountain sojourn, the pontiff will head to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills. Notwithstanding quick jaunts back home for summer's last few Wednesday audiences in St Peter's Square, Benedict's customary practice is to stay away from the Vatican until the end of September.


PHOTO: AP/Antonio Calanni

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