Appeal by Pope to Spare Rome

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 60, 14 March 1944, Page 5

Appeal by Pope to Spare Rome

LONDON, March 12. A plea for the sparing of Rome ant. an appeal to the belligerents to turn their thoughts to peace, was made by the Pope, in a world-wide broadcast. The Pope addressed a large crowd in St. Peter’s Square on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of his election. The address, which was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s, was broadcast by Vatican radio. The Pope said: “You are gathered around us to hear from our lips that all your sufferings are our sufferings We did foresee the disastrous conse quences of the war, and our faith has helped us to bear all the grief and suffering. No effort is spared to save the people from the horrors of war. Even so, in the martyred city of Rome sufferings are daily increasing. The war has not spared any of the capitals of Europe, but our Rome belongs to the whole world and to the whole Christian faith. How can it possibly turn th*s immortal city into a battlefield? Those who would turn Rome into a battlefield would for ever bear a curse. Such an act would not be excused at the bar of history. “We again appeal to both belligerents to turn their thoughts to peace.” Tremendous cheering at this point drowned the Pope’s words. “In this particularly grave hour when the much-battered city of Rome is stained with the blood of its citizens,” he continued, “we again pray--indeed, we implore all who have the means at their disposal—to come ,o our aid. We ask all who can to make an effective contribution to relieve our suffering. * * The crowd waited in the square, where the Palatine Guard was drawn up for several hours before the appointed time for the address. The Pope’s appearance was heralded by the ringing of the bells of all the churches | of Rome.