Pope Reported to be German Prisoner Within Vatican City

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 222, 18 September 1943, Page 5

Pope Reported to be German Prisoner Within Vatican City

LONDON, Sept. 16. * ‘The Germans have cut all communications between the Vatican and abroad,” states the underground Italian radio station calling itself “Free Milan.” “The Germans now control the Vatican radio and the Pope is a prisoner. ” The New York Times, in commenting on the orders issued in Mussolini’s name yesterday, says that the presence of German troops in Vatican City has put the final blot of shame on Mussolini 's treachery. German parachutists in St. Peter’s Square in Home are mounting guard with anti-tank guns, said Berlin radio, quoting its Rome correspondent. The radio added that they were in Rome to prevent Communists or anyone else penetrating the Vatican City. The Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Vatican saj-s that St. Peter’s Square forms part of the Vatican City, but the Italians can use it, and therefore the Italian police are responsible for order and security there. German soldiers have now replaced the Italian police, and behind them at the entrances to the Vatican are tho Holy Father’s Swiss Guards. The Pope has sent Kcsselring a stiff protest through Cardinal Maglione against his decision to forbid Italians to attend St. Peter’s, says the New York Times’ Berne correspondent. Kesselring’s only answer was to increase the Nazi guards and strengthen the row of guns surrounding the Vatican. The Pope's move followed 24 hours of complete isolation from the world during which the Vatican has shown the full scope of its temper by barricading the streets against armoured cars and patrolling its own quarter with guards aimed with tommy-guns and rifles. Thusfar no German soldier has succeeded in entering the district.