THE POPE INTERVIEWED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17695, 22 October 1919, Page 5

THE POPE INTERVIEWED.

THE WAR AMD AFTER.

THE SOLUTION OF WORLD

PROBLEMS.

Received October 21, 11.50 p.m LONDON, October 20.

In the interview with the Pope secured by Mr. Philip Gibbs in Rome, the Pope made no reference to his attitude towards the responsibility for the war question. He outlined the works of mercy ceaselessly undertaken, and said that the war was a scourge, and the effects thereof enormous and incalculable. Few guessed that it would last for nearly five years.. The Pope said: "That long period of strife of that terrific scourge will have far-reach-ing and enduring results. The people must make up their minds to endure war's consequences. They must steel themselves to suffer. At the same time, we must do everything in our power to alleviate sufferings and ease the burdens of those who are least able to support them."

The Pope's thoughts throughout the interview appeared to be concentrated on the conditions of - the working classes. He said the people had been irritated by a sense of injustice. He continued: "There are many men who have made money out of the war. Those who have thus grown rich will have to pay, and the burden of taxation will doubtless fall heavily on them."

The Pope mentioned the financial situation in various countries, and feared there was no quick solution of the economic problems or immediate prospect of bringing dov.ii prices to normal level.

Referring to the Catholic Church's efforts to alleviate Europe's war time agoniies, he said: "We could do very little in comparison with the enormous suffering the war caused, but as far as possible we took every opportunity of relieving the people's sorrow by works of charity. We could do no more, —ft was little, but, it did bring comfort to many poor people—wives, mothers, prisoners and wounded —and also mitigated some severities of military acts." The Pope recalled that it was the result of the Holy See's representations that war prisoners were exchanged, civilian prisoners liberated and exchanged, and . missing soldiers traced. The Pope sent over 100,000 letters to Italian families whose soldiers were either prisoners or missing. He also secured refuge in Switzerland for sick and wounded prisoners, especially for consumptives. It was impossible for the Pope to act in Nurse CavelPs case owing to the rapidity and secrecy of her execution.

The Pope repeated that what his Church could do was very little, and only touched the great anguish of the war.

Turning to the present unsettled state of the world, the Pope said: "It is the duty of all men to endeavour to solve post-war social problems in a lawful and peaceable way, so that the burden will be fairiy shared, with goodwill and charity." He expressed the hope that the writings of Pope Leo XIII. on the relation of Capital and Labour would be popularised. Their teaching- was summed up in two words: "Justice and charity." The Pope concluded: "If men behave justly, and with real Christian charity towards one another, many of the world's troubles will be removed, but without justice and charity there will be no social progress."