VATICAN, Aug. 28 (CWNews.com)

    On Sunday, August 27, Pope John Paul II received pilgrims for the final Angelus audience of the summer at his residence in Castel Gandalfo.

    With the audience still dominated by young people who remained in Italy after World Youth Day, the Holy Father commented once again on that celebration, noting that the 2 million young pilgrims had captured the hearts of Romans because they were "joyful, peaceful, ready to greet each other, reach to smile, respectful of the city and its nature, in love with Christ and his message."

    The Pontiff went on to caution that World Youth Day was "only one step along the path they have to follow." Each of the pilgrims, returning to his home, should develop his own interior life, and become a more effective Christian witness, he said.

    On Sunday evening, after his midday Angelus audience, the Pope held one final public audience at Castel Gandalfo, greeting members of the local Alabano diocese. He will leave his summer residence on Wednesday, August 30, and return to the Vatican.

    For September, the Pope's schedule includes 5 beatifications-- including the beatification of Popes Pius IX and John XXIII on September 3-- several Jubilee celebrations, the International Marian Congress, and a solemn Mass on September 28 for his deceased predecessors on the Chair of Peter.

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