The Waikato Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1939 DEATH OF POPE PIUS XL

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20729, 13 February 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1939 DEATH OF POPE PIUS XL

“Peace, peace.” Those last words of Pope Pius XI. were symbolical of the life of a great man who died in the midst of a longsustained effort to protect his church against a threat and to bring peace to a troubled world. Pope Pius died while his cardinals and bishops were assembling for the celebration of the seventeenth annii ersary of his coronation. Those seventeen years covered perhaps the most difficult period a Pope has ever been called upon to face, and his unswerving loyalty and devotion to his people marked Pope I ius XI. as one of the outstanding figures of the post-war period. His church has been subjected to the indignity of sustained attack in many European countries, and he has fought for it with a singleness of purpose and ability that have evoked admiration everywhere. The battle is not yet completely won, but the great example of Pius XI. will remain a powerful inspiration to those who succeed him. European and world conditions have undergone perhaps greater change during Pope Pius’ leadership of the church than in any similar previous period. He was enthroned in the days of recon - struction following the war when crowns were toppling and the world was suffering from feverish unrest. An anti-Christian wave was sweeping many countries. The Russian “anti-God” campaign caused the Pope many' anxious years. Ten years ago Pius XL achieved what his predecessors had failed to do. He concluded the Concordat with the Italian Government and thus healed the breach which had made the Popes virtual prisoners within the Vatican for over 60 years. The signing of the Lateran Treaty was an occasion for great rejoicing, and the Pope was acclaimed with great enthusiasm when for the first time he left the Vatican and spoke to the people of Rome. Great diplomat and scholar, he had brought harmony where chaos had existed over the long-standing “Roman Question.” The rise of the dictatorships in Europe, however, did not leave the church long in peace. Aggressive action under the new State regime brought the Italian Government again intb conflict with the church, and when Germany followed Italy on the “totalitarian” road, the church knew greater persecution than it had known for centuries. Throughout this most troublous period Pope Pius XI. has remained steadfast in defence of his church and has exercised tremendous influence in the cause of peace, tolerance and human decency. During his last long illness he was constantly troubled with fear for the future of his followers in Germany and her associated countries. The subjugation of the church to Nazi rule and the constant threat of the seizure of church property remained with him to the end. But the manner of his life and death and his last faintly-breathed prayer for peace will inspire his successor, and his followers to continue the good work of a Pope who died in the service of humanity.