Faithfully following God's word brings strength, serenity, says pope

Published: 2004-07-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Following God's word faithfully and consistently brings strength and serenity to one's life, said Pope John Paul II. The Lord's teachings and commandments are "clear and give light" to the faithful as they face the sometimes dark moments in life, he said in his July 21 weekly general audience. By being "wholly faithful to the will of God ... one will find peace in one's soul and will be able to overcome the dark entanglements in life's trials and reach true joy," he said. The large number of people requesting free tickets to this week's general audience prompted the pope to briefly leave his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo and hold his weekly catechesis back in Rome. The courtyard of his summer residence some 18 miles southeast of the capital holds about 1,000 people. More than 5,000 people packed into the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall to hear the pope give his July 21 address and blessings.

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