Pope In Dispute

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 13

Pope In Dispute

(NZ.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright)

BRUSSELS. June 10 The Belgian Prime Minister (Mr Theo Lefevre) confirmed today that Queen Fabiola was expecting a baby. He added that yesterday’s announcement of her pregnancy by the Pope, which has caused a controversy throughout Belgium. was the result of a misunderstanding. The Pope had been told in secrecy, he said Until today, Belgium still had not been told officially, and Government officials were in the embarrassing position of having to gay they did not know as much about their Queen as the Pope did.

The Pope let the hews slip when giving an interview to Belgian reporters who are in Rome to cover the State visit of King Badouin and Queen Fabiola. the Associated Press said Referring to an audience he had given Queen Fabiola. he told the reporters: “The Queen was very kind because she told us that she is expecting a baby." The Vatican was involved 1 in a controversy with Belgium two years ago when it I was announced that the Ital- . tan-born Princess Paola and s Prince Albert King Badou- > in's brother, would be mar- ’ ried in Rome. i Under public pressure, the > wedding finally took place in Brussels.