CHURCH AND STATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20642, 14 February 1929, Page 9

CHURCH AND STATE

A HAPPY SETTLEMENT. POPE’S PUBLIC BENEDICTION. (United Press' Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ROME, February 12. There was an imposing spectacle at St. Peter’s for what was nominally the seventh anniversary of the Pope’s coronation. but which was converted into a solemn thanksgiving for peace to Italy. Despite the rain tlie crowd waited four hours for the Pope’s appearance on the balcony, and he had a tumultuous reception. It is estimated that 100,000 people received the benediction.

As he raised his baud for the third time the crowd stood up and cheered frenzied! j r . It was the third time since 1870 that there had been a public benediction. Another outstanding incident was that it was the first time for CO years that uniformed military officials entered the basilica to participate in Mass.—Australian Press Association.

CLOSE OF A LONG QUARREL,

JOY TO BRITISH CATHOLICS,

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, February 12. Sir Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham last night, referred to the settlement of the Roman quest.on. He said; “We are a Protestant nation, but we cannot but remember that among the subjects of his Majesty are many millions of Catholics to whom this news will be tidings of great joy. For myself 1 would like to offer my respectful congratulations alike to his Holiness the Pope and to Signor Mussolini on this happy close of a long quarrel. May other quarrels which to-day seem as impossible of solution as the Roman question seemed in 1870, with the lapse of years, find a similar happy solution.”