NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II made the second and last public appearance of his summer vacation schedule on Sunday, July 18, when he led the Angelus prayer outside a Carmelite monastery near the town of Quart.

      In his remarks to the faithful who has assembled to pray with him, the Holy Father reflected on the importance of the contemplative life. It is, he said, " response to the absolute love of God, who in the Incarnate Word joined himself to humanity with an eternal and indissoluble bond."

      Greeting the residents of the area, the Pope thanked everyone who had contributed to his "serene and peaceful" vacation. Having spent nearly two weeks in the Alpine region, he plans to return to Rome on July 20. He has reportedly enjoyed a number of outdoor excursions during his vacation, although he is no longer capable to undertaking long walks through the mountains, as he did in previous years.

      The Vatican also announced that Pope John Paul II will make a one-day visit to Slovenia in September.

      The Holy Father will travel to Slovenia for the beatification of Anton Martin Slomsek, a 19th-century bishop of Maribor. The Pope will arrive in Slovenia in the morning, preside at the beatification, then visit the city's cathedral to pray at the tomb of the newly beatified bishop. He will next meet with the President of Slovenia before returning to Rome in the evening.

      Bishop Slomsek was known for his efforts to promote literacy among the Slovenes in their native language. He will be the first Slovenian to be beatified.

      The trip will be the second visit by Pope John Paul II to Slovenia; the first came in May 1996.

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