Pope Benedict XVI vacations in the Alps

LES COMBE DI INTROD, Italy, July 13 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI started his summer holiday at an Italian Alpine retreat Monday, saying he would do a little work, but mostly rest.

It's the third time the 82-year-old pontiff has vacationed in the village of Les Combes di Introd in the Val D'Aosta mountains near the borders of France and Switzerland.

The spiritual leader of the world's Roman Catholics receives 24-hour security from nearly 300 police and civil protection officers while on vacation.

A canine unit will patrol the woods around the village. Heightened security surrounds service stations and exists on the Aosta-Turin motorway.

Only two public appearances are to interrupt his holiday. He will lead Angelus prayers on Sundays, July 19 and 26, one in Romano Canavese and the other from his vacation residence.

After his vacation, the pope will stay at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo until late September.