Evening star., 1915-05-27
Pope IS GR|EvED
BY WARS SPREAD
Prayers win Go Out Frequent
Iy to Nations Leaders,
He Says.
DECLARES HEART BLEEDS
AT SIGHT OF MISERY
In Letter to Cardinal Vannuteli He
Cites Continuation Of Re
lief Work

ROME, May o7.-'The hour which we
are traversine is painful. but our pray
ers will go out more frequently ana
more fervently than ever to those who
have in their hands the fate of ma
tions" Is declaration made by Pope
Benedict in a letter to Cardinal Van
nutelli published in tho Osservatore
Romano. the Vatican organ.
Tho pontif recalls his first encyclical.
in which he urged the belligerent ma
tions to make peace. but points out that
his voice was unheeded and tho war
continued until 'the terrible conhagra-
tion has extended to our beloved italy.
The pontiff says he wanted to hold
consistory early IN June to discuss with
the sacred college matters OF impor-
tance concerning the government OF the
church, but unfortunately the distress
ing events made this impossible.
Continues Relief Work.
while our hearts bleed at the sight
of so much misery the Pope writes. we
have not neglected to continue our work
for relief and the dininution OF the de-
plorable consequences of war.
The holy father then recalls his efforts
for the exchange of wounded prisoners
unable to fight again The needs OF the
soul, he writes, especially attracted ms
fatherly attention, and exceptional raci-
tiles were consequently afforded all cnap-
lains called under the colors or attacheo
to the Italian army in any capacity.
Exhorts AL to Fast.
The Pope then exhorts all Catholics to
practice with him for three days strict
ecclesiastical fast, and he accords
plenary Indulgence applicable also to
souls in purgatory.
Continuing. the Pope writes:
Il wish that the echo OF our voice
might reach to all our children affected
by the great scourge Of war. and per
suade all of them of our participation In
their troubles and sorrows. There Is
little of the grief of the child that is not
reflected in the soul Of the father.
In concluding his letter to Cardinal
Sannutelli the Pope gives his apostolic
blessing to all the cardinals.
Pronouncement Expected.
Pope Benedict thus far has made no
pronouncement with regard to Italy's
entry into the war. though 1t is re-
ported that a papal document will be
issued shortly.
The Osservatore Romano, the organ
OF the Vatican. has remained silent
concerning the opening of hostflities,
CONGREGATION of rites permitting mill
tary chaplains to recite in their masses
the prayer In time OF war Thirty
portable affairs have been sent to the
front for use in the military camps.
Will Apply Law OF Guarantees.
The Italian government purposes 10y
ally to apply all the details of the law
of guarantees as they affect the vati-
can The German and Austrian am
bassadors accredited to Vatican left
Italy on their own initiative and es-
tablished themselves at Luagno on the
Swiss frontier.
AS in the former times. the Vatican
will have an absolutely Independent
postal and telegraphic service and
couriers from the papal government
will be allowed to pass freely through
Italy without the slightest interference
on the part of the Italian government
The amba ssadors accredited to the
Vatican and those to the Quirinal will
be able to leave Rome or Italy at their
pleasure.