Sydney - Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit Australia July 12-21, taking a holiday before his pastoral visit for the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day in Sydney, officials said Friday. The 81-year-old German pontiff's overseas trip, the third this year, is to include three days at an unspecified location as part of his annual leave.
The archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, said the pope's holiday destination would not be made public because of security reasons.
"He will rest up in an undisclosed location somewhere in or around Sydney, and he will be using that time exclusively," Pell said. "He won't be available for engagements in that time."
The pontiff plans to leave Rome on July 12 and arrive in Australia on July 13. He is to leave Australia July 21.
Bishop Anthony Fisher, coordinator of this year's World Youth Day, said he was pleased the pope would have some private time to rest and prepare for the gathering of young people.
"We are delighted that the holy father has chosen to arrive early and spend more time in Australia," Fisher said. "We were asked to nominate a suitable location for his stay and have recommended somewhere serene, beautiful and suitable for the leader of the world's Catholics."
The pope is to be welcomed to Sydney in a harbourside ceremony on July 17 and is to take part in the World Youth Day events until July 20.
