NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II made his first live appearance on the Internet on Saturday, August 15: the feast of the Assumption.

      Greeting pilgrims from his summer residence at Castel Gandalfo, the Pope offered special greetings to those who were on vacation and to those who, because of old age or physical infirmities, are unable to leave their homes.

      The Holy Father himself showed the effects of advancing age during his noon Angelus audience, stopping several times to mop his brow on a hot, humid day. But he also showed a tan-- evidence of the time he had spent outdoors during his own vacation in the Italian Alps.

      The Pope's public appearance was broadcast live on the Internet, in the first such effort made by the Vatican. The Vatican Internet presence will continue to offer papal appearances, which may be accessed live on the Vatican site (www.vatican.va) or downloaded from the archives at that site.

      The Vatican has also announced plans to form direct Internet links with the world's bishops, thus allowing instant communication links and a ready means of providing access to documents and statements from the Holy See.