VACATIONS, A PROPITIOUS TIME FOR RENEWING INTERIOR LIFE

VATICAN CITY, JULY 18, 2004 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, who returned yesterday from a 12-day vacation period in the mountains of northern Italy to spend some time at the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, was joined today at noon by several thousand faithful who prayed the Angelus with him as he spoke from the balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of the summer residence.

  In reflections made before the Angelus, he highlighted today's Gospel where Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha, noting that "while Martha was busy with household chores, Mary was seated at the Lord's feet and listened to His word. Christ affirms that 'Mary has chosen the good portion which shall not be taken away from her'. Listening to the word of God is the most important thing in our life."

  The Pope pointed to the many occasions for listening to God: by reading Sacred Scripture, in private or community prayer, in silence before the tabernacle and "especially on Sundays when Christians are called to meet and listen to the Lord, ... through participation in the Mass."

 "When, through the action of the Holy Spirit, God resides in the heart of the believer, it becomes easier to serve our brothers. That happened in a singular and perfect way in Mary Most Holy. We entrust this vacation time to her, so that it will be best used as a propitious occasion for rediscovering the primacy of interior life."

  Following the Angelus prayer, John Paul II greeted the faithful present, especially the residents of Castelgandolfo, whom he thanked "for your always warm welcome." He also greeted Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, and other religious and civil authorities present.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno, S.J., apostolic vicar in Jaen, Peru, as metropolitan archbishop of Huancayo (area 15,145, population 783,107, Catholics 720,224, priests 63, religious 108), Peru.  The archbishop-elect was born in Lima, Peru in 1944 and was ordained a priest in 1971.

- Elevated Bishop Slawoj Leszek Glodz, military ordinary for Poland, to the dignity of archbishop.
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TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF FIRE IN SCHOOL IN INDIA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2004 (VIS) - Following is the telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in the Holy Father's name, for the victims of yesterday's fire in Kumbakonam, India:

  "The Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the devastating school fire in Kumbakonam which has taken the lives of so many young children and has left so many others injured. He assures all involved in this terrible tragedy of his closeness in prayer.  His Holiness commends the dead to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and upon their grieving families and those who have suffered harm he invokes the divine blessings of consolation, strength and healing."
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AT FAREWELL, POPE EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR REST IN LES COMBES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2004 (VIS) - This afternoon, before leaving for Castelgandolfo, the Pope said goodbye to the mayor and city officials of Introd and the security staff who looked after him during his 12-day vacation in Les Combes.

  John Paul II thanked the mayor and members of the city council for "having facilitated in different ways a peaceful stay in the mountains of Valle d'Aosta" and he assured them that he would "remember them especially in prayer."

  Addressing the State police, or "carabinieri," the forest rangers and the Vatican gendarmes, whom he called his "guardian angels," the Pope said that they had "looked after him during my stay in Valle d'Aosta with efficiency and discretion. For this, I thank you."

  "I have appreciated your service very much," he continued.  "I am conscious of all the sacrifices, efforts and hard work involved and I am aware that you carry it out with competence and generosity. May God reward you and assist you always with His heavenly protection."
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