VATICAN, April 28 (RIA Novosti) - Bad weather forced
Pope Benedict XVI to change his plans to travel to the
earthquake-devastated Italian region of Abruzzo by helicopter
on Tuesday.
The Pope instead set off for the region by car.
A powerful earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale,
hit the mountainous Abruzzo province in central Italy on April
6, killing 294 people and injuring another 1,500. Some 50,000
people were also made homeless.
The pope will visit earthquake survivors, many of whom are
still living in makeshift housing and tents. He will also visit
L'Aquila, the epicenter of the quake, to meet with the mayor
and pray with residents.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said last week
that the July 8-10 Group of Eight summit would be moved from La
Maddalena Island to L'Aquila in a bid to attract funds for the
region.
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