MUSSOLINI AND THE POPE.

Evening Star, Issue 25472, 1 May 1945, Page 3

MUSSOLINI AND THE POPE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—We all remember, with burning anger, how Mussolini pounced upon the Abysshiians, an undeveloped and unarmed race, and destroyed them with modern arms and the infamous use of gas. Preparations for this inhuman attack were openly made and known to the Vatican. But the Pope was silent. Indeed, he was not wholly silent, for, as x one writer puts it, " the Church blessed the war from the outset, and, difficult as it may be to believo it, Mussolini was sprinkled with holy water and designated the man of Gecl." It is pitiful to think of this successor to Peter and Paul shrugging his shoulders at open violence and brutal tyranny, and deciding that unpleasant consequences would follow the faithful condemnation of wickedness as blatant and bloodthirsty as any the 'world has known. lam not simply concerned, however, to judge the records of the Pope or pass judgment on his prudent statecraft. 1 only say that from these obvious facts of history, and having seen the jackal Mussolini receive his just reward, it must be concluded that the Pope has no moral authority now to come forward and posa as the organ of righteousness and presume to direct the course of the nations. —I am. etc., A. April 30.