Summertime, and the living is a little bit easier - but still no holiday

The Vatican has cut back Pope Francis’ heavy workload for the summer months, but is making no mention of a holiday for him, after 16 months of solid work, writes Hannah Roberts.

The Wednesday General Audiences are suspended for July and the Pope has agreed to take a break from the small private morning Masses he celebrates in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guest house where he resides.

But he will continue to lead the Angelus on Sundays in St Peter’s Square in July and August, except when he is on an official visit to South Korea from 14 to 18 August.

For months, aides have been urging him to take a break for the sake of his health. But Francis has insisted on ploughing on with his reforms. Last week, after the meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents, Francis cancelled two days of appointments due to “tiredness”. The Vatican has not said whether the Pope will visit the Castel Gandolfo papal summer residence.