POPE AND FASCISM

Evening Star, Issue 20196, 8 June 1929, Page 12

POPE AND FASCISM

PRESS COMMENT OK LETTER FUTURE FULL OF DIFFICULTIES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June ;7 The Rome correspondent ol ‘The Times’ says that thus far the ‘ Tevere and the ‘ Impero ’ are the only bascist newspapers to comment upon the 1 opes letter, which only the Roman Catholic organs published fully, the others giving onlv inadequate and partial summaries." The ‘Tevere’ ignores most of the Pope’s points, and describes the letter as merely a “solemn andlorcseen affirmation of the church’s viewpoint. The paper concedes that the letter is completely consistent with Roman Catholic dogma. The ‘ Impero,’ on the other hand, violently attacks the P°Pp for daring to censure Signor Mussolini. “We have never offended the church, and the church must not offend Fascism. Fascism is not to bo criticised save hv the Fascists, and the Uuce by no oiic.” It is evident from the Pope’s letter that the future will he full of difficulties for Italian Roman Catholics, who are also convinced that the Fascists are already beginning to realise that the inner conflict between their civil and religious loyalties is still far from being resolved.—London ‘Times’ Cable,

THE LATERAN TREATY EXCHANGE OF RATIFICATIONS. A PICTURESQUE CEREMONY. ROME, June 7. (Received June S, at 11 a.m.) The exchange of ratifications of the Lateran Treaty was carried out during the forenoon with a picturesque ceremony. Signor Mussolini was the first Prime Minister of Lnitcd Italy ever to set foot in the Vatican when lie entered Cardinal Gasparri s palace to deposit the State’s ratification. Directly the ceremony was over the Pope’s Swiss Guards mounted sentry at the Vatican City approaches-as a sign of sovereignty. Simultaneously the bronze gates of the Palace were thrown open as a signal of peace between the Church ami the State.—Australian Press Association.