The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-12-11
IF PRESIDENT WILSON GOES TO ROME
 SHOULD HE CALL UPON POPE BENEDICT

N
 leading ministers of Bridgeport addressing large con regaon upon arranged the promotion of inter- friendship to celebrate British Day. declared very strong President of the United States ought Pope Benedict if he goes Rome but ought go the American Embassy and send word to the vatican If his Holiness wishes to me- am here"
 Were this matter entirely academic might be entitled o discussion in the editorial column of The Times What never going happen not particularly worth writing about It likely that President Wilson will visit the Pope The thing may happen is, if the morning may be relied upon that Dec 23 President Wilson will visit the King of Italy and then will received by Pope Benedict
 The President of the United States when he is in his own country call upon anybody whom he desires visit There has never been The Times knows any objection
 The President will call upon Pope Benedict :? Why should anybody object to that? Pope Benedict the aged and dis nguished head of the Catholic church institution which has members in the world than any naon except ing China, numbers as it's subjects.
 In the United States reside at least 15 100000 Catholics who the Pope their spiritual head Among these Catholics senator's congressman governors judges democrats pubcans and representative of every phase of American life In the Armies of America at home and abroad there their due proportion officers every ran soldiers in every branch of the who honor Pope Benedict as their spiritual leader.
 If President Wilson and does call upon any he chooses he call upon the King of Italy upon any other King why can't he call Pope Benedict without meeting the interdcton of Dr. Campbell, of anybody else?
 He if he in Rome and the occasion presents should do To do otherwise would be gross dscoursy army to the American people, to the traditions of courtesy which prevail among well bred and women
 The Times does not in the know except as the news reports n whether President Wilson will go Rome what his plans are, if he goes.
 If the President of the Great Republic the head of the Catholic church and congraIate him upon the patriotism the fervor tho ao and the sacrifice of Catholic soldiers the great war the spectacle will be good look upon holy sight of God and admirable in the view of man.
 Of what it to shed the blood mutudes to seek the League of Nations that there may be happiness and bro herhood among if the head the republic may not call the head of the Catholic church. upon the head Of other church. upon any poenae whatever in due time and for satisfactory reason.
 It is time for the burial of old prejudice out worn hat red religious barriers must fall before the onsaughts of the new brotherhood Every catholic in America native born and of suitable has the constitutional qualities required of one who to bepresident the United States If President Wilson not visit the Pope future president of the United States may not occasion pay tribute of respect c the head of the faith which worshps That could not he
 Recently in Bridgeport there has breaking down o old barriers rendng of the walls that separated man from citizen from citizen and patriot from patriot Tn . Ref Cross collections, M A. campaigns United War Work anc much else, Proestans Catholics and have worked o gether under the American flag service flags wbicT bore thousands of stars with distinction race creed po iics religion written upon the bright any star
 The President call upon the Pope Benedict The world will rejoice as he does America will be glad visit shal be token of and better day; one more sign world in which there is love- oy cooperation peace less hatred, atangonism, destruction and war.
 The Christian church is the friend of brotherhood of peace the centuries long friend predecessors of Pon Benedict were preaching unity and world peace when half Eur ope barbarian.
 Out of Christianity of which Pope Benedict represents tn greatest single branch all modern thought vbc millions hope may dominate the peace table.
 The idea that President Wilson should not visit the PoD IS the survival of an older and less Christian te harz back to the day when Massachusetts laws asserting tha hanging should be the fate of Quakers and Catholic priests
 day when in the of religion warning burned an slew each other with awful fervor.
 Those days gone. This is the new dav The hovs ,,b coming home will to that They say We marche together, fought side by side suffered in same bosnaI died on the same battle fields lived the democracy and perpeuate what have gained The privilege of E world to dwell in prosperity mutual understanding respect peace"
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