Pope makes unannounced day trip to countryside outside Rome

Published: 2004-04-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II took an unannounced day trip out to the countryside south of Rome to unwind after a busy and tiring week of Easter celebrations. Vatican sources said the pope left early in the morning April 15 by car to spend the day in the fresh air of Altipiani di Arcinazzo, a vast green plateau dotted with fir trees in the province of Frosinone. According to Italian newspapers, the pope was accompanied by his secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz; his personal doctor, Renato Buzzonetti; and a small entourage. The trip had been scheduled for April 12, Easter Monday, the traditional day urban-dwelling Italians abandon the city for the country, but inclement weather forced the pontiff to postpone his paschal picnic for a sunnier, warmer day. Italian news sources said the pope spent about 10 hours enjoying the scenery, reading his breviary, and chatting now and then with members of his entourage.

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