Earlier reports that Olympic medalist Michael Phelps would be meeting with Pope Benedict XVI were premature.
According to The Associated Press, Phelps is skipping the meeting in order to rest before his final individual race of the world championships.
Pope Benedict is scheduled to host about 100 swimmers Saturday at Castel Gandolfo. Phelps was among those invited, but his coach, Bob Bowman, said he’ll be resting after three races Friday and the final of the 100-meter butterfly on Saturday night.