POPE PIUS XI.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20254, 24 July 1937, Page 11

POPE PIUS XI.

ALPINE TRAINING. INFLUENCE ON CAREER. (Times Air Mall Service.) LONDON, June 21. In his book on Pius XI., entitled “ The Pope in Politics,” whloh appears to-day. Mr William Teellng lays stress on the important Influence of the Pope’s early days as an Alpinist on his subsequent career, says the Dally Telegraph. To them he owes hls Immense strength, which was shown In his recovery as an octogenarian from an Illness which was expected lo be fatal, and his level-headedness and hls determination to carry through what he has once begun. His exceptional strength became the talk of Hie guides from the day he saved the life of ono of them. Climbing the Gran Paradiso, his companion, a heavy mnn. fell down the glacier. The feat of Fattier Ratti —as he then was—in holding the guide for several nilnutos until he regained Ills footing amazed the victim and ills professional oolleugues. His great ambition was to make the first ascent of the peak of Monte Rosa from the Italian side, then considered impossible. • With a friend he succeeded, but It was already eight o’clock In the evening. and they had to spend the night standing on a narrow lodge 15,180 feet above sea-level. All they could do to counteract the cold was lo stamp their feet. Their coffee, wine and eggs were frozen solid.