THE LATE POPE’S CAREER

Evening Star, Issue 23189, 11 February 1939, Page 15

THE LATE POPE’S CAREER

SCHOLAR AND STATESMAN The late Pope Pins XL (Achilles Ratti) was born at Dcsio, near Milan, on May 31, J 857, his father being an employer in the silk industry. He was ordained priest in 1879—the “ old young man ” he was called as a youth —and, after a period of teaching, he for 30' years held positions first in charge of the Ambrosian Library at Milan, and afterwards in charge of the Vatican Library. Combining the most versatile intellectual gifts, he was credited with an acquaintance with at least 20 languages. He wrote bibliographical and literary essays to the number of nearly 100, besides being an Orientalist and a student of art His study of books, however, did not cut liim off from the world. During the many years he was in Milan he continued to teach the catechism to chil-

dren of that city. In 1914 he visited England and delivered two lectures, in Latin, at Oxford University, on the occasion of the Roger Bacon seventh centenary. He was also an enthusiastic mountaineer. _ In 1889 he and another priest, Don Luigi Grasselli, devoted four days and throe nights to the first ascent of Monte Rosa from Zumstein. Next year lie ascended Mont Blanc, descending to Chamonix by a new route which is now known by his name. .In June, 1921, he was appointed Archbishop of Milan and Cardinal, and on February 6, 1922, he was elected Supremo Pontiff as successor to Benedict XV. Before that, however, in 1918, Ratti bad distinguished himself in a diplomatic capacity. The Poles, at a critical moment of their political fortunes, had asked for an envoy. The scholar priest was chosen. When he arrived the Bolshevist army was at the gates of Moscow, but the apostolic visitant remained in the city, and by his influence contributed to its stability. So manifest was his prestige that he was appointed nuncio as a matter _of course. The Interallied Commission called upon him to act as High Ecclesiastical Commissioner in Upper Silesia, and would accept no refusal. As umpire of the questions_ in dispute Ratti had to combat nationalism in its most vehement mood, and his success showed his statesmanlike qualities. A CRITICAL TIME. It was at a critical time for the Papacy and religion that Pope Pius XL ascended his throne. The effect of the war, and of unrest following it, had been to bring all authority, spiritual as well as secular, into discredit. It might have been asked whether it would be possible for even the Roman Catholic Church to flourish unchanged in a world that* had been so agitated. Pius XT. refused to yield an inch of sacred territory to the new influences. What he did was to change the methods of the Vatican. To quote Mr P. W. Wilson; “In warfare with a rebellious world, as he is bound to regard it; he took the offensive. Since 1870, when Italy captured Rome, the Popes as ‘prisoners’ had limited their appearances to the faithful within St. Peter’s. Pius XI. stood forth on the outer balcony. ‘lt is my desire,’ he announced to the Cardinals, ‘ that my first benediction should be extended, as a pledge of that peace desired by humanity, not only to Rome, not only to Italy, but to the whole church and the entire world.’ The challenge was unmistakable.” At the outset of the twentieth century the world was five-sixths monarchist. To-day it is three-quarters republican, and even so the monarchies include Great Britain with her commonwealth of nations. The Pope perceived that, in Ins statecraft, he had to deal no longer with princes; be. had to make himself understood by peoples. The importance of the Eng-lish-speaking countries, where Catholics do not form the majority, was fully recognised. The inauguration of the Irish Free State and the revision of the anti-Roman Accession Oath in Great Britain prepared the way for the historic audience in which the Pope received King George and Queen Mary on May 9, 1928. Honours were paid to the memory of martyrs ami missionaries. There have been Eucharistic Congresses. There is the pledge that no future Pope shall ho elected uutil time has been allowed for American Cardinals to reach Rome and record their votes. At the same time the uncompromising attitude of the past was maintained towards all other churches. Unconditional acceptance of papal authority has continued to be the requirement which has made church union, in the widest sense of the term, impossible.

]« defence of tlie home flip laic Pope nas outspoken and uncompromising. Ho insisted upon modesty of dress for women. In important encyclicals he restated the claim of the church to supervise education, and her belief that marriage is indissoluble and birth control a sin.

USE OF PUBLICITY More than any of his predecessors the Pope used publicity in maintaining his influence, in accordance with the methods of the age. “ Deliberately," it has been said, “he stood forth in the light of day. Even in prayer he is photographed. Over the radio installed by Marconi even the Mass is broadcast. Every detail of the Supreme Pontiff’s day, from the early morning when—so wc are assured—he prefers to shave himself with a safely razor, to the late evening,- when he takes a favourite book with him to bed, is described in countless columns of newspapers throughout the world. It is a great experiment, and it is, definitely, a means to an end.” The late Pope had Ids struggles with Fascism. The Catholic party in politics was suppressed to satisfy Mussolini. But His Holiness protested in no uncertain terms against 11 Duce’s interesting theory that if it had not been for absorption within the Rome of the Caesars Christianity would have remained an obscure Galilean sect. After much bargaining the now famous Concordat was signed, the King and Queen of Italy visited the Pope, and finally Benito Mussolini himself, once radical among radicals, was received in a long private audience by the successor of the Chief Apostle. THE CONCORDAT The Vatican thus emerged once more as a Papal State. In size, the sovereignty includes only 108 acres, but in organisation it is complete. A railway, with a special train, connects with the Italian railways. Aeroplanes can land. Vatican City has its own coinage, "post office, telegraph, radio, police, army, courts of Jaw, taxation and flag. Even the ancient artillery has received attention. Under' Benedict XV. the diplomatic service of the Papacy was greatly developed and it now includes contracts with about 30 countries. The Vatican, including the Pope’s rooms, has been supplied with a complete system of telephones. For the conduct of business there are typewriters, filing cabinets, and all the equipment of an up-to-date office. In 1870 the Pope, deprived of the revenues of his temporal possessions, refused an annuity from Italy. Under the recent treaty he has received 52,000,000 dollars in bonds carrying 5 percent. interest, and 39,000,000 dollars CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE

Two words—order and calm—have been used to describe the personality of the late Pope. Of his influence and his sympathies Mr P, W. Wilson has written:—“lt is not true that, in the ordinary sense of the term, Pope Pius XI. is a reactionary. If he has banned Anatole France, so also has he condemned Leon Daudet, ‘ L’Action Franchise,’ and the violent royalists within the French Republic. It has been nqticed at the Vatican that aristocratic visitors frequently enjoy the briefest of audiences. Some humble monk, on the other hand, who is engaged in the real work of religion may be closeted with the Pope far beyond his allotted time. While condemning Communism, the Pope has spoken plainly and sensibly on questions of Capital and Labour. He stands for peace and desires disarmament. When the Genoa Conference was called he prayed for its success and in many ways he has sought to mitigate the excesses of nationalism which are troubling Europe. It will not be denied that his Pontificate has made a difference.’’

THE HOLY YEAR An important celebration of the late Pope’s reign was that of the Holy Year, observed in 1933 as the nineteenth centenary of the death of Christ. In a proclamation, issued on the 'previous Christmas Eve, announcing that this celebration -had been fixed, the Pope asked what centenary could be more noble. The uncertainty of’the actual anniversary [1934 had its supporters as the true date] took nothing from the certainty and infinite greatness of the benefits received by the world from the event to be commemorated. “ Such a celebration,” said His Holiness, “ would prevent the world from listening to nothing or almost nothing except accounts of conflicts and strife, distrust and doubts, armament and l disarmament, losses and reparations, economic and financial interest, and individual and' social hardships.” It would give mankind the opportunity to think about their universal brotherhood and about all matters of a lofty spiritual nature. “ Of all this there was a special need to-day in the midst of so many tribulations, so much forgetfulness of the eternal, so much paganism that invaded the world, so much searching after pleasure and the joys of this world, and of the money that was the abused means of procuring such things.” ( A PERSONAL IMPRESSION A writer in the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ in the year which followed “ Holy Year,” gave her impressions of an audience with Pius XI. “ The Pope was clad in a simple white soutane. He wore a thick gold chain and a large cross attached to the third button of his soutane. His red leather shoes were embroidered with gold. A simple, dignified figure he looked ; 1 recall that 1 preferred him in this dress rather than in all his Papal magnificence. “ The Pope, in spite of his strenuous life, and particularly in this present jubilee year, looks much younger than his age. Unless one knew one would scarcely believe he was 78. “He has particularly beautiful hands, and his ring is a sapphire surrounded by diamonds. If only he could wear the Fisherman’s Ring 1 He is of medium height, not too stout, has a clear voice, and speaks the cultured, simple Italian that is easy for foreigners to understand, but what strikes one rnost_ are his particularly intelligent and kind eyes. He has a deep affection for England, which he visited before he became Pope, and knows well, and it was with emotion that he welcomed the forty-ninth pilgrimage from England since the beginning of the Holy Year. “ In spite of the Pope’s superhuman energy, he says it is the praj'ers of his ‘ children ’ which keep him going. He rises at 5 and retires very 'late, and he must be, although he never owns it, very tired. There is no chance of his ever resting. Imagine what the strain must be upon a Pope to pontificate at many ceremonies with the eyes of the world upon him, and when time serves is receiving cardinals and archbishops and exalted personages from all over the world almost all day long. “ Then there is also the business of the Vatican which needs attention, and which he always must direct, with the help of the Cardinal Secretary of State.

“ As an international figure the Pope is very keenly interested in all international questions. His entourage toll me tbnt lie has a tendency to prolong audiences that interest him, whereas they would prefer to see him have his meal. lie keeps in touch with all modern thought. He is a strong head of the church.

“ Everything connected with the Vatican is interesting, for even so

small an item as the removing of one’s gloves is symbolic. It is a reminder of the days when Popes’ Jives were threatened by people with daggers in their gloves. “ The Vatican authorities are very careful about the dress for an audience. In spite of the little design they send you, showing you how to wear your veil and the necessary length of your black dress and your obligation to wear a high neck and long sleeves, a sister comes to inspect you, and if, you show your neck or arms or indulge in scent or conspicuous make-up, she sends you back.

“I have seen the Holy Father at his own private mass, to which it is a great honour to be invited. I have seen him blessing his people; I have seen him pontificate at a high mass; at a canonisation, and a beatification.

“ 1 have talked European politics with the Pope; I have seen him busily working at the foundations of the new Vatican City; 1 have seen him now receiving his ‘ children ’ from all over the world, counting his forces and measuring their strength for the titanic struggle which has to be waged between Rome and Moscow. “ One hour spent with the pilgrims brings convincing evidence of what a vast organisation and world force the Vatican is. But I always think of the Pope as I saw him on the first occasion, ordering the prayers to be doubled for the safety of his * children.’ ” METHODS OF ELECTION The election of a Pope ordinarily is by scrutiny. Each Cardinal in conclave writes on a ticket his own name with that of the Cardinal whom he chooses. These tickets, folded and sealed, are laid in a chalice which stands on the conclave altar; and each elector approaching the altar repeats a prescribed form of oath. Thereupon the tickets are taken from the chalice by scrutators appointed for that purpose from the electing body; the tickets are compared with the number of Cardinals present, and when it is found that any Cardinal has two-thirds of the votes in his favour he is declared elected. The Pontiff has for advisers and coadjutators the Sacred College of Cardinals, consisting, when complete, of 70 members —namely, 6 CardinalBishops* (holders of the suburbicary sees), 50 Cardinal-Priests, and 14 Cardinal-Deacons. In practice, however, while the total number of Cardinals is never allowed to exceed 70, tlie n uni her of Cardinal-Priests frequently exceeds 50. while there are usually many vacancies among the Car-dinal-Deacons. Jn March. 1938. the Sacred College consisted of 6 CardinalBishops, 53 Cardinal-Priests, and 9 Cardinal-Deacons,