CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy- Pope John Paul II, looking rested at his vacation palace, asked for prayers Wednesday for the success of his trip to Canada next week for the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day.
John Paul departs Tuesday for Toronto, where hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world are expected. He will then go on to Guatemala and Mexico before returning to Rome on Aug. 2.
"Pray that it will be a propitious occasion to feel the joy of being authentic witnesses of Christ," the pope told the 4,000 pilgrims and tourists who packed the palace courtyard for his weekly public audience.
The 82-year-old pope, who suffers from the symptoms of Parkinson's and knee and hip ailments, appeared rested and relaxed and with a slight sun tan from his stay in Castel Gandolfo, in the Alban Hills south of Rome.
He joined pilgrims from his native Poland in singing a Polish mountain song. He is also scheduled to make a four-day visit to Poland next month.