PAPAL VISIT TO ROYALTY

Southland Times, Issue 24012, 30 December 1939, Page 5

PAPAL VISIT TO ROYALTY

Pope Sees Italian King And Queen

SHOW OF POMP IN ROME (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) ROME, December 28. With a rare show of Papal pomp and royal ceremony his Holiness the Pope visited their Majesties the King and Queen of Italy, repaying the recent Royal visit to him. The bells of St. Peter’s rang out as the Pope set out from the Vatican. A Royal Mission in the great square of St. Peter’s conveyed the first greetings from their Majesties, after which the Pope and his suite entered the 18 cars'forming the Papal cortege. . The Governor of Rome, greeting the Pope on the border of Italy and the Vatican City State, said that the visit symbolized the drawing together of the Eagle of the Roman Empire and the Cross of the Roman Catholic Church.

The route to the Quirinal, the Royal Palace, was elaborately decorated and lined with troops, behind which stood great crowds. The Pope, in his scarlet hat, frequently gave the Papal blessing to the crowds. His Eminence Cardinal Maglione, Papal Secretary of State, and 40 high dignitaries were also in the procession. Their Majesties received the Pope in the palace attended by the Prince and Princess of Piedmont and the Count and Countess Ciano.

The Pope accompanied their Majesties to the Throne Room, where there were three thrones. They conversed for some time, ■while the Papal retinue mixed freely with the Court in the ante-room. The Papal Flag and the Royal Standard floated side by side over the Quirinal. CHEERING CROWDS. " After an hour’s talk, during which the Pope met the members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries, his Holiness returned to the Vatican, large crowds cheering enthusiastically as he passed. The Pope’s address to their Majesties is described as of the “warmest .and most important” nature. The King replied cordially. His Holiness in a speech said that the visit to their Majesties resealed the happy concord of Church . and State. He invoked Divine protection for the Royal Family and hoped that the peace which Italy’s rulers were safeguarding and which was making Italy greater and more respected throughout the world, would be a stimulus to a new understanding among the peoples at present at war. A durable peace would be sought vainly if it were outside the royal ways of justice and Christian charity. The Press hails the visit as the “realization of the dream of the Mussolini era.”

Signor Mussolini will visit the Pope on January 4. Well-informed circles believe that his Holiness will return the visit personally.

GIFT TO BRITISH TROOPS IN FRONT LINE

(British Official Wireless)

(Received December' 29, 5.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 28. The British Empire Service League of South Africa has sent the Secretary for War (Mr Leslie Hore Belisha) a cheque signed by Field-Marshal Lord Milne for £4OO, representing contributions from 4000 ex-servicemen and women towards Christmas comforts for British troops in the front line, “with best Wishes from their comrades in South Africa.” The gift has been acknowledged by Mr Hore Belisha.