New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-23
POPE ORDERS
DAY OF EXPIATION
February 7 and March 81
Fixed for Special
Church Services.
APPEALS TO INVADERS
TO BE TEMPERATE
POntiff. While Expressing SOr'
row for Events, Emphasizes
Holy Sees Neutrality.

Rome. Jan. 22.-The Pope to-day held
a private and a public Consistory, in the
course OF which he preconlzed several
bishops and delivered an sllocutlon
dealing chiefly with the war.
The Pontif emphasized the neutral
iiy OF the Holy See and referred 10 his
efforts 10 mitigate the disastrous con
sequences Of the conflict. lie urged his
hearers not 20 heed those conditions
which separated the faithful. but rather
20 consider those which made them
brothers in the faith. and he called
upon the invaders Of territory OF the
enemy rot 20 commit excuses.
In conclusion the Pope invited all the
faithful 10 participate IN great eN-
piatory function in Europe 20 be held
on February : and outside OF Eu-
rope on March =. He said that on
February Z he and the cardinals would
take part In a special service az St..
Peters.
Sees Small Hope of Peace.
The Pope began his allocution by ex-
pressing his dcep chagrln that month
after month was going by without even
the distant hope that this fatal war
soon would cease. He alluded 20 what
had been done toward the exchange OF
prisoners. and explained that the lin
itations of his apostolic Office did not
permit him TO 90 further. As inter
prefer Of the eternal law, the Pontiff
said. he could declare that nobody
should be permitted 10 inhict injustice.
but he could not go further in this con
fict. To do 50 would be neither con
venicnt nor useful. The Holy See must
remain perfectly impartial
The Roman Pontlf. as the Vicar OF
Christ Who died for all must embrace
all the combatants in his sentiments OF
charity. Being the father Of all Cath
olics. he has sons on both sides IN this
conflict for whose safety he must be
anxious. Consequently it was impos-
sible for him TO look upon the special
interests dividing the peoples IN this
conflict, but. rather. the common bonds
making them brothers in the faith. Any
other course not only would not assist
peace but would create aversions TO re
lgion and thus expose the internal
tranquility and concord Of the Church
70 the danger Of grave disturbance.
Sympathy for Nonsignor Mercier.
While not taking sides with either
antagonist. the Pope continued, he fol
lowed with deep anxiety the terrible
phases Of the war.
Concerning our beloved Belgian peo-
pie" the Pope continued, eve showed
our sympathy in our letter to Cardinal
Mercier Here We make appeal to the
sentiment Of humanity of those who
cross tho frontiers Of hostile nations,
Conjuring them not 10 deyastate the
invaded regions more than is absolute
" necessary from the standpoint Of
military occupation, and above all not
10 wound without actual necessity the
feelings Of the inhabitants in their
dearest possessions, their sacred tenn
pies. their ministers of God, their
rights. their religion and their faith. u
The Pope said he ventured to express
the opinion that God allowed people
whose thoughts we're entirely engrossed
with things of this world 10 punish
each other with mutual slaughter for
the disdain and neglect with which they
treated Him.
Continuing. the Pope alluded TO The
recent earthquake in Italy. saying that
other events had occurred which had
obliged men 20 humiiiate themselves
before the powerful hand OF God. and
he brought his allocution to a close by
urging the faithful to prayer.