by Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Unlike many of his predecessors since the early 1600s, Pope Francis has decided not to spend the summer at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo although he will observe a reduced schedule in July and August.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that Pope Francis has decided that for the summer he will be “based at the Domus Sanctae Marthae,” the Vatican guesthouse where he has lived since his election in March.

However, Pope Francis will travel to Castel Gandolfo, 15 miles south of Rome, July 14 to lead the midday recitation of the Angelus with townspeople and pilgrims.

Father Lombardi did not say why Pope Francis decided not to move to Castel Gandolfo for the summer, although he noted that when he was the archbishop of Buenos Aires, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio did not go away for his summer holidays.

As for other details of the pope’s summer schedule, Father Lombardi said Pope Francis does not plan to hold any private or special audiences between July 8 and Sept. 1. Also, his early morning Masses with Vatican employees and a short homily will be suspended during that period.

However, Pope Francis will travel to Brazil July 22-29 for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.

During July, Father Lombardi said, the pope will not hold his weekly general audiences on Wednesdays.