Space for silence important in today's hectic world, pope says

Published: 2004-07-12

INTROD, Italy (CNS) -- From a vacation hideaway deep in the Italian Alps, Pope John Paul II preached the value of silence in today's hectic world. "In this oasis of quiet, in front of the marvelous spectacle of nature, one can easily experience the benefits of silence, which is increasingly rare today," the pope said July 11. The pontiff, looking rested and sounding good, spoke at a noon blessing outside his mountain chalet in Les Combes, a small village in Italy's Aosta Valley. It was his only scheduled public appearance during his July 5-17 vacation. The pope was spending his days taking drives through the mountains and stopping for outdoor lunches with a few friends and aides. In his residence, he was said to be reading and putting the finishing touches on a book about philosophy.

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