POPE AVERTS PANIC

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1932, Page 2

POPE AVERTS PANIC

SENSATION IN ST. PETER’S

RUSH BY FANATIC.

ROME, April 30

A Pontifical blessing, calmly bestowed by Pope Pius XL upon a vn.-t congregation of 80,000 aluimed l ersdns, averted an imminent pnnic in the huge basilica of St. Peter’s Rome.

The critical moment occurred at the end of the Pontifical High Mass, marking the tenth anniversary of ihe Pope s coronat.on. Around the magnificent altar were seated, in a ty-two cardinals, score.;; of high Government officials, and members of toe Diplomatic Corps. Suddenly, and without warning, a little man with strangely bright eyes, rushed past the imposing array of officials and hurled something towards the Pope. For one dramatic moment, says the “Daily Express” corrrnpindent, it was thought that an assassin had thrown a deadly missile at the Pontiff. Men in gold braided uniforms and red sashes took a frantic step forward r© if to throw themselves upon ti e missile and save the Pope from any possible harm,

SHOCKED OFFICIALS, The thrown object, however, fluttered to the Pope’s feet, It was a letter from a religious fanatic, Its author had forced his way past all shocked officialdom to throw‘himself at the feet of Pius XI. and beg lor grace. “1 crave justice and grace,” the demented man cried. ’The vast congregation, r.ware only that danger seemed to threaten, swayed uneerta nly amid tensity and silence. A single shriek by some hysterical woman would have precipitated panic and probably a melee of tragedy. None realised this better than the Pope in this • fleeting . instant, for his elevated position gave him an unobstructed view of the sea of troubled and strained faces.

The Pope’s mind must have flashed to the one obvious remedy. Slowly and calmly, so that- none of the dignity 7 or the act was lost, the Pontiff raised his arm in pontifical blessing. As he pronounced the sacred words with solemnity and fervour’, the congregation sank to its knees. That ended' the threatening danger. Meantime, gendarmes had quietly removed the fanatic. The letter was picked up by an attendant and placed put' of’ sight. The. service continued (is if nothing had happened,- and the Pope shortly afterward broadcast a message to the world.

PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE. , Thd message was brief aiid to tile ptiirit. The p6pe invited all peoples; everywhere,' tb prfty for world peace, sci thftt the iiatiphs and humanity might be saved from further misery and live in tranquility huneoforth. The. usual dnzzlipg spectacle preceded th© celebration of Pontifical High Mans. An impressive eccleciastical process! n from the Vatican to St. Peter’s opened the ceremony. Surrounded by civil and military orders and the picturesque Swiss Guards, in addition to the cardinals and h’gh clergy, the Pope was carried into St.'Peter’s on the Sedia Gestatoria, a raised platform topped by a velvet canopy. This was borne on the • shoulders of twelve liveried stalwarts. •

The Pope was attired in white with tlie'triple tiara on his head. The processfon wound its way to the altar, where the -Pope -ascended liis throne.