Castel Gandolfo, Italy - Following a week of intense Easter festivities, Pope Benedict XVI was set Thursday to spend his 82nd birthday resting at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo in the hills south of Rome.

The low-key commemoration contrasted with April 16, 2008 when Benedict, who was on an apostolic visit to the US, was feted in Washington by then US president George W Bush.

On that occasion a choir sang "Happy Birthday" for the pontiff on the White House lawn.

In March this year Benedict made his first trip to Africa as pontiff when he visited Cameroon and Angola, while his next trip abroad is scheduled in May when he will travel to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Before then, he is expected to visit Italy's central Abruzzo region which last week was struck by a devastating earthquake in which almost 300 people were killed.

Unlike many other monarchies, Vatican City state does not officially celebrate birthdays of popes but holds public holidays to mark the anniversary of their election.

Benedict who took that name following his election on April 19, 2005, was born as Joseph Ratzinger in the town of Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany.