POPE RECITES ANGELUS FROM VACATION VILLA IN INTROD

VATICAN CITY, JULY 16, 2000 (VIS) - Today at noon, from the summer villa in Introd, in Italy's northern region of Valle d'Aosta where he is vacationing, Pope John Paul recited the angelus with about 5,0000 faithful who had gathered there. "I thank the Lord," he said, "for giving me the possibility again this year of spending some time in this evocative mountain location, which calls to mind the majestic presence of God."

"From this serene setting," said the Pope, speaking before the angelus, "I would like to extend a cordial thought to everyone who is on vacation in this valley and elsewhere, in the mountains or at the sea. I invite everyone to make these days of well-earned summer rest a time of interior enrichment and beneficial family relaxation. I am also thinking of those who cannot take a vacation and have remained at home. In a special way I extend an affectionate greeting to those who are ill, to older people, to those in prison and to those who are alone. I assure each one of you remembrance in my daily prayers."

The Holy Father then recalled that "today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On that mountain, which is in Israel near Haifa, the holy prophet Elias strenuously defended the integrity and purity of the faith of the people chosen in the living God. On that same mountain, in the 12th century after Christ, a number of hermits gathered together, dedicating themselves to contemplation and penance. It was from their spiritual experience that the Carmelite order had its beginnings.

"Carmel," he said in conclusion, "symbolically indicates the mount of full adhesion to the divine will and of our eternal salvation. We are all called to climb this spiritual mountain, ceaselessly and courageously."

Following the recitation of the angelus, the Pope greeted the pilgrims present in different languages, noting especially the presence of Carmelites and Benedictines.

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