Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Les Combes (Fides Service) - On Sunday 17 July Pope Benedict XVI from Les Combes in Valle d’Aosta where he is staying for a short period of rest led the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with people gathered in front of his holiday residence. “This Summer pause is truly a gift of God after the first months of the demanding pastoral service entrusted to me by divine Providence” the Pope said before the prayer after he had called to mind “my beloved Predecessor John Paul II” who used to take a short period of rest at the same house.
“In the world in which we live - Pope Benedict XVI said - it is almost a necessity to restore body and mind especially for people who live in cities where frenetic living conditions leave little time for silence, reflection and relaxing contact with nature. Holidays are days during which we can devote more time to prayer and reading and meditating the profound meaning of life in the happy environment of the family and loved ones. Holiday time offers unique opportunities to take time to look at the evocative spectacle of nature a wonderful "book" open to all old and young. In contact with nature we rediscover the right dimension, we realise that each of us is a creature, small but unique "open to God" because we are open to the Infinite. Urged on by the search for meaning which we feel in our heart we see in the world around us signs of God’s goodness and providence and almost naturally we are moved to praise God and to pray”.
Greeting people in different langauges the Pope thanked the diocese of Aosta, the authorities, the region and the town council for offering him hospitality. Besides voicing solidarity with local industry workers threatened with redundancy, the Pope had special words of encouragement for the sick and he did not forget to remind young people to join him for World Youth Day celebrations in August in Germany. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/7/2005; righe 24, parole 358)
