CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 27, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's personal secretary described the Pope's vacation as "monastic," saying that the Holy Father spent much time in meditation and prayer, but also took many walks in the woods.
The Pope wrapped up his 19-day summer vacation in Lorenzago di Cadore in the Veneto region of northern Italy today, and made his way to the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Rome.
It was a sort of "monastic-Benedictine vacation," explained Monsignor Georg Gänswein in an interview with the Italian daily Il Giornale.
Monsignor Gänswein explained the Pope's daily vacation schedule: "Every day begins with holy Mass, followed by thanksgiving, the breviary and meditation. Then there is breakfast, and afterward the Holy Father spends his time reading, studying, writing and meditating.
"At 1, there is lunch and afterward the Pope takes a brief walk in the park that surrounds the house. A beautiful path was prepared in the woods surrounding the residence, with a simple chapel, a statue of Our Lady sculpted by a forest ranger, wooden benches and beautiful vases of geraniums in various places.
"After the Holy Father's rest he returns to his books, to writing, study, prayer and the piano. Every once in a while he listens to a CD of classical music.
"Around 6 p.m., Benedict XVI goes out for a walk in the forest or around the nearby lakes. At 7:30, he has dinner, then he watches the evening news and then, after another walk on the house grounds, the Holy Father goes to bed."
Governing
The Pope also stayed up-to-date on matters of the Church while on vacation. He met with various Church leaders, including Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the archbishop of Hong Kong.
From Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father will continue his ministry until the end of the summer.
He will meet with Italian youth Sept. 1-2 at the Shrine of Loreto and also has an apostolic trip to Austria, from Sept. 7 to 9.
The Pontiff will make a pastoral visit to the Italian city of Velletri, near Castel Gandolfo, on Sept. 23.
This Sunday, Benedict XVI will deliver his traditional Angelus address at Castel Gandolfo.
The weekly general audiences will begin again next Wednesday, when the Pope meets members of the Scout Movement, who will be marking the 100th anniversary of the organization.
ZE07072709 - 2007-07-27