ITALY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIII, Issue 18, 4 May 1916, Page 47

ITALY

THE HOLY FATHER’S SORROW.

In a letter to the Archbishop of Ravenna, Cardinal Gasparri, the Papal Secretary of State, expresses the Holy Father’s ‘bitter sorrow and profound regret’ at the sufferings and loss of life inflicted by the Austrian air raids. Referring to the recent bombardment of the city, the letter says : —‘ This fresh raid has not only plunged a certain number of families and the whole city into grief, but has caused bitter sorrow?, to the heart of the Holy Father/ who feels profound regret for the innocent victims and at the same time is sorely troubled on account of the danger to the splendid monuments and the damages they have sustained. ' His Holiness, as a vigilant guardian, of the supreme interests of religion, history, and the arts has not failed to recommend and insist again to the AustroHungarian Government that the Avar should be' conducted in conformity with, recognised principles," according to which open, undefended towns should be exempt from attack and the monuments and churches which constitute the precious treasures of those towns should be respected. The Holy Father w ould, moreover, like that in the ItaloAustrian war, the dropping. of bombs , from aeroplanes was altogether abandoned. . If this noble intention has not been achieved it-is not'from any Avant of warm interest on the part of the common Father of the faithful, but for reasons .which I shall- be able to explain personally when opportunity offers. Will your Grace, in the name of the Holy Father, express his affectionate condolence with the unfortunate families of the poor victims, and be kind enough also to inform the families of the fervent prayers' which his Holiness offers up for the, happiness of the departed? Meanwhile, -as a token of heavqnly graces and a, comfort in such a disaster,-your Grace will please receive and communicate to your beloved people' the Apostolic Blessing which his Holiness grants from his heart.’ ; , '