Aug 17, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Holy Father thanked God for the strength he was given to make his pilgrimage to Lourdes last weekend in today’s general audience at his summer home in Castelgandolfo.
He was in better health this morning than he appeared to be in France, where he struggled to finish his homily during Mass on Sunday.
"I give thanks to God who in his benevolence allowed me to go on the pilgrimage to Lourdes," said the Pope in a clear, strong voice to the faithful gathered in Castelgandolfo.
In Polish, he told the faithful: "I thank you for having sustained me with your prayers during my pilgrimage to Lourdes."