Pope begins holidays, says supported Italy in Cup

INTROD, Italy, July 11 (Reuters) German-born Pope Benedict, beginning his private holidays in the northern Italian mountains, said today he rooted for Italy during the World Cup.

''Naturally, for Italy,'' he said when asked which team he had wanted to win the ultimate soccer trophy.

''I've been living here for a long time. I love Italy and the Italians,'' he told reporters as he began the holiday near Mount Blanc and the border with France.

The Pope said his brother Georg Ratzinger, a monsignor who lives in Germany, called him during the games and joked to him that he did not think Germany should win the Cup.

''The Germans should not win, otherwise the Germanic pride will swell too much. That's what my brother told me,'' the Pope said laughing.

Benedict will stay at a Church-owned chalet, above the hamlet of Les Combes high in the Aosta valley, until July 28.

He will make only two public appearances during the vacation to recite his weekly Sunday prayer on July 16 and 23.

At the end of his mountain holiday, he will move to the papal summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome where he is expected to stay until late September.

Last year, the Pope spent most of his holidays reading and writing.

REUTERS DH HS1956