Pope prays for ailing Alitalia

Rome: Pope Benedict XVI is seeking divine intervention for Alitalia, the insolvent airline that's flown pontiffs on trips abroad for the last 40 years.

"I've been praying for you for a while," Benedict told Augusto Fantozzi, the carrier's government-appointed administrator, before boarding an Alitalia flight at Rome's Fiumicino airport on Saturday. Benedict was travelling to Paris for a state visit.

The pope's comments came as a group led by Piaggio and C. chairman Roberto Colaninno, which was bidding for Alitalia, pulled out of talks after unions failed to back a rescue plan.

The unions say they will put together a bid of their own and approach banks for financing.

The German-born pope is Alitalia's most famous frequent flyer. Alitalia has been the carrier of choice for pontiffs since 1964, when Paul VI made his first trip abroad. Benedict yesterday flew on an Airbus A-321 carrying the papal emblem. He was greeted in Paris by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Air France-KLM Group dropped a bid to buy the carrier in April.