Benedict arrived aboard an Italian air force helicopter for a three-hour visit.

Pope Benedict XVI flew by helicopter Thursday to this ancient, lakeside hill town for an excursion and to take formal possession of his summer palace in his first trip outside Rome since becoming pontiff. Benedict arrived aboard an Italian air force helicopter for a three-hour visit. The helicopter landed on the palace's private pad, and the pope stepped into a car to be driven the short distance to a palace entrance.

Outside, hundreds of residents of the small town gathered, many waving yellow-and-white Vatican flags.

The pope began his inspection of the sprawling grounds with compliments to palace staff.

"Thanks to you all. We can see how well you work, and how beautiful the gardens are," Benedict said.

The Vatican said Benedict also would meet with the town mayor, appear at a window facing the town's main street to give his blessing and stroll through the gardens before flying back to the Vatican in early evening.

Benedict's predecessor, John Paul II, spent many weeks each year at the palace, nestled in the Alban Hills, where cool evening breezes make the town a welcome retreat from Rome's summer heat.

The estate includes a swimming pool, installed so that John Paul could keep in shape by doing laps. John Paul, whose papacy lasted 26 years, once joked that it was cheaper to build a pool than pay for a conclave in case of his death. He died April 2 at age 84 after suffering from Parkinson's disease and other ailments.

The new pope, former German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, moved into the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on Saturday, after the residence was cleaned and spruced up.

Popes have used their sojourns at the summer palace to write important documents, catch up on reading, relax and to entertain important visitors, such as President Bush.

Bush and his wife, Laura, visited John Paul at the palace in July 2001, and the pontiff played tour guide, escorting the couple onto a palace balcony overlooking the lake and chatting about his world views.

John Paul also welcomed friends from Poland at the retreat, whose grounds include a 60-acre farm with dairy cows.

Benedict has been keeping a busy schedule this week.

On Tuesday, he received the Italian president at the Vatican in the first formal audience he has granted to a head of state.

On Friday, he receives South African President Thabo Mbeki.

On Sunday he will be in two basilicas in Rome: St. John Lateran, his seat as the bishop of Rome, and St. Mary Major, to pray before an icon of the Virgin Mary.

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