Pope ends vacation, travels to Castelgandolfo

Vatican City, Jul 29, 2009 / 08:24 am

After spending more than two weeks at a chalet in the Italian Alps, Pope Benedict wrapped up his vacation on Wednesday evening.

During his time at Les Combes, the Holy Father spent time working on the second installment of his book, Jesus of Nazareth. The relative leisure of his trip was interrupted on July 16 when Benedict tripped and fractured his wrist while trying to find a light switch.

This evening the Pope will travel by helicopter to Caselle airport near the northern Italian city of Turin. From there he will fly by plane to Rome's Ciampino airport.

Pope Benedict XVI will then be taken by car to the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, where he will spend the rest of the summer and continue treatment of his right wrist.

The Pope will maintain a light schedule during August, the traditional month for vacation in Europe.

On Saturday, August 1 he is scheduled to receive around 100 athletes who are currently participating in the world swimming championships in Rome. On Sunday, August 2 he will pray the Angelus from the balcony overlooking his summer residence's courtyard.

Weekly general audiences will resume on Wednesday, August 5.