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Benedict XVI Points to Spiritual Side of Vacations Pope Benedict XVI smiles as he arrives prior to the Angelus prayer in Les Combes d'Introd, near Aosta, Italy, Sunday, July 17, 2005. 7/17/2005 ES COMBES, Italy, JULY 18, 2005 (Zenit) - More Time for Prayer, Reading and Meditation, He Says at Angelus. Benedict XVI proposed a holiday program which predisposes the heart "to receive more easily … the light of Truth and practice it in freedom and love." The Pope delivered that message today before praying the midday Angelus with some 6,000 people who came to the Alpine chalet where...

On the Sacred Heart "We Adore God's Love of Humanity"> VATICAN CITY, JUNE 5, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before praying the Angelus with the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters! Last Friday we celebrated the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, devotion profoundly rooted in the Christian people. In biblical language, "heart" indicates a person's center, seat of his feelings and intentions. In the heart of the Redeemer we adore God's love of humanity, his will of universal salvation, his infinite mercy....

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II went some way towards reassuring worried Catholics that his health had improved, during a regular Sunday Angelus appearance from his window overlooking St Peter's Square only a few days after being discharged from hospital. The 84-year-old pontiff recited the few words of his weekly blessing in a tired but clear voice, though -- as has become the norm in recent weeks -- he left the longer Angelus prayer as well as his weekly message to an aide to read. John Paul II made no direct mention of his...

Pope set to appear for Sunday Angelus Convalescent Pope John Paul II is set to lead the weekly Angelus prayer today in his first public appearance since his dramatic return to the Vatican from hospital aboard his trademark Popemobile. The frail, 84-year-old Pontiff has so far apparently obeyed his doctor's orders to stay at home since Thursday's high-profile discharge from Rome's Gemelli hospital where he was treated for acute respiratory problems. On Friday he skipped a mass at Saint Peter's Basilica marking the World Day of the Sick, instead watching it on television. However, underscoring his determination to continue...

Preparing for the Ecumenical Patriarch "I Invite All to Pray for the Full Unity of Christians" VATICAN CITY, JUNE 27, 2004 (ZENIT.org).- Here is a translation of the address John Paul II gave today before praying the Angelus with the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square. He gave the address in Italian. * * * 1. The day after tomorrow, on June 29, we will celebrate the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, and during this happy feast day we will have the joy to receive in the Vatican His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. We want to...

Eucharist Is "Center of the Life of the Church" Meditation for Corpus Christi VATICAN CITY, JUNE 13, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address John Paul II delivered today before praying the midday Angelus at St. Peter's Square. * * * 1. Corpus Christi, the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, is being celebrated today in Italy and in other countries. It is the feast of the Eucharist, sacrament in which Jesus left us the living memorial of his Pasch, central event of the history of humanity. It is beautiful that on this day the faithful gather around the...

  I've never seen anything like it in American pop-culture. Joss Whedon just introduced a new character who's a bleached-blond United States Senator and who intends to become President in 2008. Her most trusted aid is a vampire, and she's a member of the Circle of the Black Thorn - the most evil assemblage of characters in the history of the greater Buffy-verse [kind of like a Justice League of America, only for evil, not good]. Talk about your full body slams... All I can say is: WOW!  

Adult" Catholics: Answer To Practical Atheism, John Paul II Says Papal Address at This Sunday's "Angelus" CASTEL GANDOLFO, JULY 28, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address John Paul II delivered Sunday at noon, after praying the Angelus with pilgrims in the courtyard of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters 1. The Church has received from the risen Christ the mandate to proclaim the Gospel to the utmost ends of the earth. Over the past few Sundays I have had the occasion to recall several times that the ecclesial Communities of Europe are...

On the "Christian Roots" of a New Europe John Paul II's Address at Castel Gandolfo CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 20, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address John Paul II gave today before praying the midday Angelus with pilgrims gathered at the summer papal residence. The address was in Italian. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters! 1. Over the last month intense work has been done on the redaction of the new European Constitution, the final version of which will be approved by the intergovernmental conference to be held next October. To this important task, which concerns...

On Christ as the Source of Hope for Europe John Paul II's Address at Castel Gandolfo CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 13, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address John Paul II delivered today before praying the midday Angelus with pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters! 1. At this historic moment, in which an important process is under way for the reunification of Europe, through the enlargement of the European Union to other countries, the Church observes this continent with a look full of love. Along with many...