ROME’S GREAT DAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 586, 12 February 1929, Page 9

ROME’S GREAT DAY

Treaty Signed, Ending Quarrel Between Vatican and the State

PICTURESQUE SCENES ( United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Associaiioyi) (United Service) Received 11 a.m. ROME, Monday. A COSMOPOLITAN crowd thronged the Lateran Square for the signing of the treaties between the Vatican and Italy. Only ten persons were present at the actual ceremony. The treaties tvere signed behind locked doors. Dominican friars in white and brown robes, and Augustinians in black and white waited barefooted on the icy flagstones of the square.

There tvere also dozens of country priests, with their indispensable umbrellas and snuff boxes, many nuns, hundreds of international students. Cardinal Gasparri, Pontifical Secretary of State, as a guard against aggravation of his chill, came in a thick mantle, with a gold crucifix around his neck. Signor Mussolini was more conventional in a silk hat and frock coat. Only two outsiders were present—representatives of the Vatican and the Italian Press Bureaux.. The treaties were signed at noon. Cardinal Gasparri presented a gold pen to Signor Mussolini as the Pope’s

souvenir gift. Later, Cardinal Gasparri took the signed documents to the Pope, who was delighted at the completion of a great act. Signor Mussolini similarly presented the documents to King Victor Emmanuel. THREE INSTRUMENTS Three instruments were signed at the Lateran Palace: (1) A political treaty settling indefinitely and eliminating the Roman question. (2) A concordat regulating the conditions of Church and religious worship in Italy. (3) A convention regulating the financial relations between the Holy See and the Italian Government, which have been outstanding since 1870. The signatories were Signor Mussolini, as Prime Minister and plenipotentiary of King Victor, and Cardinal Gasparri, as plenipotentiary of the sovereign pontiff. The cardinal signed first. The other Vaticantes present were Monsignor Borgoncini Duca, secretary of the Holy Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs;

Monsignor Pizzardo, substitute Secretary of State; Professor Pacelli, legal adviser to the Holy See. The representatives of Italy were Signor Eocco, Keeper of the Seals; Signor Grandi, Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Signor Giunta, Un-der-Secretary of the Council. Their coming and going kept the cariblnieri busy controlling the photographers. DUCE KISSES CARDINAL’S RING The first outstanding incident of the ceremony of the Lateran Palace was Cardinal GasparrTs welcome to Signor Mussolini, who kissed the Cardinal’s episcopal ring, and expressed a hope for everlasting good relations between the Vatican and Italy. Cardinal Gasparri admitted during the meeting that he was happy at having accomplished the most important act of his life. "Now I can die with an easy mind,” he said. Before the dispersal. Cardinal Gasparri bestowed the Papal Benediction upon Signor Mussolini, who replied expressing the King’s profound devotion to the Pope. Cardinal Gasparri provided cakes and wine, and then escorted the Duce to the gate, where the crowd gave an.ovation to both. Addressing parish priests after the ceremony, the Pope said; “Some say that my territory is too little; but for good, deep reasons I wished the least possible.” The documents will not be published till they are discussed by Parliament, but a liberal summary is being issued to-morrow.

It is expected that Monsignor Pizzardo will become Papal Nuncio to Italy, and ex-Minister Fedale Italy’s Ambassador to the Vatican. KING TO VISIT POPE

The King is expected to make a State visit to the Pope on April 21, after the Chamber meets. It is suggested that the Pope is likely to visit Europe and America in 1930. It is learned that the new Vatican precincts, to be known internationally as the City of the Vatican, will be printed on international maps, and recognised by foreign Governments. Cardinals Gasparri, Vannutelli and Mafrl will receive the Order of the Annunziata. King Victor Emmanuel, Signor Mussolini and Signor Alfredo Rocco, Minister of Justice, will be recipients of high Papal distinctions. Amid the general solemnity of the occasion humorists in Rome note that the Jews prepared for the occasion by setting up street markets. Thousands of flags are displayed, the Italian tricolour mingling with the colours of the Papal State. So that even the people of the Ghetto have cause for rejoicing at the settlement of the long-standing quarrel.