POPE GRATIFIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22620, 24 April 1948, Page 5

POPE GRATIFIED

ITALIAN ELECTIONS SKIES NOW BRIGHTER ROME, April 22. “An entire people has given proof of its grave sense of civic duty, and the skies of Italy are brighter with hope.” said His Holiness the Pope in a statement on the Italian elections. The elections had quickened confidence in Europe and the whole world. The Pope said he had received messages from every continent, telling how the people at this crucial moment had spontaneously prayed that God should “come to the defence of His cause against error and injustice.” In Rome today, the Prime Minister, Signor do Gasperi, said: “Italy wants to collaborate in the Western Union pact.” A large crowd attacked and wrecked the Communist headquarters at Terlizzi last night after a fight between the Christian Democrat Mayor, Signor Mario Venttla and the Communist deputy, Signor Mario Assenato. Carabinieri and Communists fought a post-election gun battle at Lusciana, near Naples in which one Communist was wounded and five arrested. The Communists, who had armed themselves from a secret dump, tried to set fire to the local church and attempted to blow up the municipal buildings. The police seized hand grenades, pistols and about 5000 rounds of ammunition.