Pope says body, soul can benefit from vacation, especially outdoors

Published: 2005-07-18

LES COMBES, Italy (CNS) -- Both body and soul can benefit from a relaxing, getaway vacation, especially one spent in the outdoors, Pope Benedict XVI said from an Alpine mountain retreat in northern Italy. Vacation time with family and loved ones offers the opportunity to spend "more time dedicated to prayer, reading and meditation on the deep meaning of life," he said July 17 before praying the Sunday Angelus in Les Combes, in Italy's Valle d'Aosta region. Because today's lifestyles, especially in hectic cities, "leave little room for silence, reflection and being in touch with nature," it has become "almost a necessity to be able to refortify one's body and spirit" with a relaxing vacation, said the pope. Some 6,000 pilgrims gathered at the small mountain village to hear Pope Benedict pray the midday Angelus during his first extended vacation since he was elected pontiff April 19. "After the first months of the demanding pastoral service that (God) has entrusted to me, this summer pause is a truly providential gift of God," he told the crowd.

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