Pope Benedict XVI yesterday recited an Easter prayer at the papacy's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo outside Rome where he is taking a brief rest before his birthday this week.
Addressing hundreds of followers, a smiling Pope Benedict XVI intoned the Regina Coeli prayer and said the resurrection of Jesus Christ celebrated by Christians at Easter had "built a bridge between the world and eternal life".
Pope Benedict, who became pope in 2005, turns 82 on Thursday and has had an exhausting Holy Week. The Vatican said in a statement that the Roman Catholic leader would be taking "a brief rest" at Castel Gandolfo.