Family life the basis of society - Pope

Looking tired in the sweltering heat, Pope John Paul II praised families as the bedrock of society today as he celebrated Mass on his tour of Croatia.

The 83-year-old pope, outside the Vatican on a Pentecost Sunday for the first time as he continued his 100th foreign pilgrimage, encouraged young Croats to marry, raise families and help their children overcome temptations and walk “the path that leads to authentic joy”.