PRINCESS HAS PRIVATE TALK WITH THE POPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27078, 12 May 1949, Page 7

PRINCESS HAS PRIVATE TALK WITH THE POPE

NZP A—Copyright ROME, May 10. Princess Margaret had an 18-minute private talk alone with Pope Pius XII in his library in Vatican City to-day. When the Princess was introduced to the Pope she shook hands, curtsied, and greeted him as “ Your- Holiness.” The Pope smilingly replied with “ Your Highness.” Princess Margaret was given no State courtesies during her visit to the Vatican, but was received as a private visitor. . An official Vatican communique on the meeting stated that the Pontiff and the Princess had an “ affable conversation.” When the meeting was over Princess Margaret was taken to seethe famous Sistine Chapel. , • A crowd of about 1000 waited an hour for the Princess to leave the Vatican’s main gates in St. Peter’s square. The Princess, however slipped out of the St. Ufflzi gate, which opens on a side street, and drove to the British Embassy. The pro-Corrtmunist Rome newspaper La Republica reported the meeting under banner headlines: “Beautiful Margaret Sees Holy Father Scandalises Half the World.” Princess Margaret earlier, went on a sightseeing tour to /Capitol Hill, once the citadel of the Roman Empire s and rid\v the’ site'of the .City Government of Rome. Her guide was the Mayor of Rome, Salvatore Rebecchini. Later the Princess went to the Quirinale Palace, the residence of the Italian President, Signor Einaudi. where she lunched with the President.