DEATH OF THE POPE

Southland Times, Issue 23741, 13 February 1939, Page 7

DEATH OF THE POPE

British Messages Of Condolence ALL CREEDS PAY TRIBUTES “Pius Recalled Greatest Popes In History" (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 12, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. The death of Pope Pius XI is mourned throughout the Christian world.

King George VI and the British Prime LZEinister (jVLu Neville Chamberlain) have sent messages of condolence to the Vatican City. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr Cosmo Lang) in a tribute to Pope Pius XI referred to the Pontiff’s unwearying efforts for peace. Pius XI, he said, was a man of sincere piety and bore his immense burdens with dignity and courage.

The Dail Eireann has adjourned as a mark of mourning. The Prime Minister of Eire (Mr Eamon de Valera) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr W. T. Cosgrove) paid tributes to the Pope.

Prominent Canadians of all creeds united in paying tributes to the Pope, says a message from Ottawa. The Prime Minister (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) sent a cable message of condolence to the British Ambassador to the Vatican. The Canadian Conservative leader (Dr R. J. Manion) stated that the death of Pius XI was a loss to the people of all countries, particularly the poor and lowly. The Premier of Alberta (Mr W. Aberhart) declared that the Pope had been an outstanding champion of world peace for 17 years; the people of the world had suffered a severe loss.

The Primate of the Church of England in Canada (Dr Derwyn Owen) said: “I wish to pay my tribute to a great man who played his part with rare Christian courage.” In Sydney the Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop Panico) in a broadcast on Friday night said: “Pope Pius recalled the greatest popes in history in his understanding of diplomatic movements which were often very complex and in his knowledge of social questions. He recalled Leo XIU in his tremendous activity; in his erection of monuments he was like Sixtus V, and in his ardour and passion while defending the rights of the Church when it was assailed or ' downtrodden he made one think of Gregory XII.” The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) sent condolences to the Va'rtan. Two American cardinals, Cardinal Mundelein (Archbishop of Chicago) and Cardinal Dougherty (Archbishop of Philadelphia) are going to Rome to participate in the election of the new Pope. The third, Cardinal O’Connell (Archbishop of Boston) is pot going because of his advanced age and illhealth. GERMANY’S SORROW , NOT UNMIXED EVIDENCE OF BITTERNESS AGAINST PIUS XI LONDON, February 10. It is clear that for political reasons the German Government has not received the news of the Pope’s death with unmixed sorrow, says the Berlin correspondent of The Times. Every effort is made to do justice to the obituary notices, but less care is taken to conceal satisfaction that Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli automatically ceases to be Papal Secretary of State, although it is pointed out that his influence—which is regarded as wholly against the totalitarian States—will have as much scope before and during the election of the new Pontiff. Some bitterness against Pope Pius can be detected, as demonstrated by an article in Der Angriff, which says: “It would be bad if a so-called religious Pope were elected. It has too often been shown that such a man would be but a complacent tool in the hands of political wire-pullers and intriguers, and an abiding source of disturbance and unrest. Nor should he be a scholar. The man needed should possess a thorough political experience and so be able to form a better estimate of the laws of the age than did his predecessor.”

Der Angriff has a headline over the Pope’s obituary notice reading: "Pope of Unfulfilled Hope,” and says: “He began his life as a spiritual reformer but died a political adventurer. He believed the world could be saved only through Catholicism but he was spared the experience of the full failure of his ideas.”

A spokesi an of the Wilhemstrasse said: “We hope that the Pope’s successor will not turn to anti-German activities, but on the contrary, will try to improve Vatican relations with Germany.” Herr Hitler sent a message of condolence to the Vatican.

“POPE OF CONCILIATION” MUSSOLINI PAYS LAST RESPECTS ROME, February 10. Signor Mussolini sent the following message to the Papal Secretary of State (Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli): “The disappearance of the Pope of Conciliation means mourning for the Church and the Italian people: I offer the condolences of myself and the Fascist Government.” Signor Mussolini and the Foreign Minister (Count Galeazzo Ciano) visited the Vatican to pay their last respects. The Italian Court will observe eight days’ mourning. Flags are being flown at half-mast in Rome. All public spectacles are forbidden. ELECTION OF NEW POPE VATICAN CITY, February 10. It has been officially announced that the first meeting of cardinals to elect the new Pope will be held on March 3. Cardinal Schuster, Cardinal Pacelli and Cardinal Tedeschini, who are noted diplomatists, and Cardinal della Costa and Cardinal la Vitrano who are reputed to be less interested in politics, are mentioned as possible successors.