THE POPE AVERTS PANIC

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1932, Page 4

THE POPE AVERTS PANIC

SENSATION IN ST. PETER’S

A Pontifical blessing, calmly bestowed by Popo Pius XI. upon a vast congregation of 80,000 alarmed persons, averted an imminent panic in the huge basilica of St. Peter’s, Rome, on February 12. The critical moment occurred at the end of the Pontifical High Mass, marking the tenth anniversary of the Pope’s coronation. Around the magnificent altar were seated, in a semicircle, 22 cardinals, scores of high Government officials, and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Suddenly, and without warning, a little man with strangely bright eyes, rushed past, tho imposing array of officials and hurled something toward the Pope. For one dramatic moment, says tho Daily Express correspondent, it was thought that an assassin had thrown a deadly missile at the Pontiff. Men in gold braided uniforms and red sashes took a frantic step forward as if to throw themselves upon the missile and save the Pope from any possible harm.

The thrown, object, however, fluttered to the Pope’s feet. It was a letter from a religious fanatic. Its author had forced his way past all shocked officialdom to throw himself at the feet of Pius XI. and beg for grace. “1 crave justice and grace,” the demented man cried.

The vast congregation, aware only that danger seemed to threaten, swayed uncertainly amidst tensity and silence. A single shriek by some hysterical woman would have precipitated panic and probably a melee of tragedy. None realised this better than the Pope in this fleeting instant, for his elevated position, gave him an unobstructed view of the sea of troubled and strained faces. - *’ Tho Pope’s mind must have flashed to the one obvious remedy. Slowly and calmly, so that none of the dignity of the act was lost, the Pontiff raised his arm in pontifical blessing. As he pronounced the sacred words with solemnity and fervour, the congregation sank to its knees. That ended tho threatening danger. Meantime, gendarmes had quietly removed the fanatic. The letter was picked up by an attendant and placed cut of sight. The service continued as if nothing had happened, and the Pope shortly afterwards broadcast a message to the world. Tho message was brief and to the point. The Pope invited all peoples, everywhere, to pray for world peace, so that the nations and humanity might bo saved from further misery and live in tranquility henceforth. The usual dazzling spectacle preceded the celebration of Pontifical High Mass. An impressive ecclesiastical procession from tho Vatican to St. Peter’s opened tho ceremony.

Surrounded by civil and military orders and the picturesque Swiss Guards, in addition to the cardinals and high clergy, the Pope was carried into St. Peter’s on the Scdia Gestatoria, a. raised platform topped by a velvet canopy. This was borne on the shoulders of 12, liveried stalwarts.

. The Pope was attired in white, with tho triple tiara on his head. The procession. wound its way to the altar, where the Pope ascended his throne.