NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II is prepared for his summer vacation, which will begin when he leaves Rome after his regular weekly public audience on Wednesday, July 7.

      The Holy Father will travel to northwestern Italy, where he will stay in Valle d'Aosta, a region he has previously vacationed in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, and 1997. (He has also spent summer vacation time in the Dolomite Mountains, at Lorenzago di Cadore, in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, and last year.) He will stay until July 20 in the village of Les Combes, in a two-story cottage surrounded by pines and larches, from which Mount Blanc is visible.

      The Pope is scheduled to make only two public appearances during his two- week stay. He will recite the Angelus from the window of his vacation cottage on Sunday, July 11. And he will visit a Carmelite convent-- which he himself dedicated in 1989-- on July 18.

      Following the pattern that he has set in previous years, the Pope will spend most of his vacation days in prayer, reading, writing, and walking in the mountains.

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