Pope, back from vacation, says relaxing part of observing Lord's day

Published: 2004-07-19

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- While attending Sunday Mass is the most important part of observing the Lord's day, moments of rest, reflection and recreation with friends and family also are helpful, Pope John Paul II said. "Listening to the word of God is the most important thing in our lives," the pope told hundreds of visitors gathered July 18 in the courtyard of his summer villa south of Rome. The pope arrived at the villa in Castel Gandolfo July 17, after a 12-day vacation in the northern Italian Alps. Reciting the midday Angelus prayer with pilgrims at the villa, the pope said, "Christ is always among us and wants to speak to our hearts." The pope said, "We can listen to him by meditating with faith on the sacred Scriptures, gathering ourselves in private or community prayer and pausing in silence before the tabernacle where he speaks to us of his love."

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