AN OLD QUARREL ENDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 563, 16 January 1929, Page 8

AN OLD QUARREL ENDS

¥ ABOURING, with passionate energy, to give Italy vitality enough to take her place among the powerful States of the earth. Mussolini lias declared that one of his highest hopes was that of effecting a reconciliation between Italy and the Papacy. Almost 60 years have passed since the Pope, divested of temporal power by the followers of Mazzini and Garibaldi, became known as the “prisoner of the Vatican.” Before the breaking of that storm, the Papacy had been a diplomatic force in Europe; but afterwards, spiritual power was all that remained in the hands of the living representative of Europe’s oldest ruling dynasty. This schism between Church and State, while not having major political consequence so far as Italy was concerned, certainly brought about feelings of spiritual disruption, and Mussolini, a rare combination of practical man and visionary, must have been astute enough to see that political and social progress were not enough for the new Italy of his dreams: there had to be a sweet infusion of spiritual accord as well. Reconciliation with the Papacy, while not without political significance, would he harbinger of the spiritual unity he sought. Although there lias not yet been any official announcement concerning the restoration of temporal power to the Pope, persistent reports, authoritative enough in themselves, show that this will not long be delayed. In the past three or four years there have been repeated parleys concerning amendments to the law governing the relations between Church and State, and regarding the Vatican’s claim to absolute independence. Mussolini has been sympathetic, hut the delicate diplomacy necessary has resulted in delay. Now it seems that the negotiations have reached a conclusive stage, and the official announcements will be made when the Italian Parliament meets again. Reports say that a sovereign Papal State will he created, giving the Pope nominal sovereignty over a small piece of territory. Accumulated money’s will be handed to him, and the treaty between Church and State will be registered with the League of Nations, thereby giving it international status, and investing the Vatican with power to participate in international discussions. The ending of this old quarrel to the satisfaction of both parties will certainly; be a great diplomatic accomplishment.