Pope says thanks but no thanks: he’ll skip Alps and have a Roman holiday this summer

Pope to skip Alps this summer

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI, who broke his wrist last summer during his Alpine vacation, is passing up invitations to return to the mountains so he can spend his holiday near Rome.

Benedict received several invitations for the Alps, but the Holy See said Friday that while the pope is grateful he wants to spend summer resting without having to travel.

The pontiff will spend summer at the papal estate in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside hill town about a half-hour’s drive or a short hop by helicopter from Vatican City.

In July, the pope fractured a wrist and had surgery after he fell in his bedroom in an Alpine chalet.

Benedict, who turns 83 in April, will lead a series of public ceremonies during Holy Week, starting later this month ahead of Easter.