Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls confirmed the news in a press statement. In previous years, the Holy Father spent Easter Week at his Castel Gandolfo residence, about 18 miles from Rome. This year, he will be there only on Monday and Tuesday.
John Paul II will arrive in Castel Gandolfo on Monday morning. At midday he will pray the “Regina Coeli” with pilgrims. He will return Wednesday to his full schedule in Rome, including preparations for his May and June trips to Greece, Syria and Ukraine, and for the May 21-24 consistory of cardinals.
