The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-02-07
ITALY HAPPY
OVER CHOICE
OF Plus XI
Believe New Pontiff' Influ-
ence May Heal Long Stand
ing Breach Between Church
and State.
CORONATION ON FEB. z
(By Associated Press)

tBE Associated PreSS)
ROME, Feb. 1.-THE Vatican today
began to resume its usual brilliance,
eclipsed by the death of Benedict XIV
in preparation for the coronation of
the new pope, Plus XI on Feb. II.
The pontifical household was being
set in order, and the rooms used by
the conclave during the election will
soon assume their normal appearance.
All Italy, judging from the messages
received at the Holy See, seems full
OF JOY that Plus XI sits on the throne
of st. Peter. All predict from his
first apostolic benediction that the
breach between the church and the
state Will be healed during the present
pontificate.
Recall Utterance.
The pontiff's position in this regard
as summed up in a speech which he
delivered when installed last summer
as Archbishop of Milan, is now being
widely quoted. He then said: "It is.
above all, abroad that one sees and
feels how the pope constitutes the
greatest dignity and prestige for Italy.
| Through him all the millions of Cath
olics in the whole world turn to Italy
as second fatherland. Through him
u
"One would have to close his eyes
not to see the prestige and advantages
our country derives by his presence.
/ Then international weight is consid-
cred he is super-nationally sovereign
All nations recognize in him a divine
institution. We Catholics of Italy who
by divine ordination have the care of
him are responsible in honor before
the Catholics OF the whole world"
Expect Few Changes.
Plus XI is occupied with the prena-
ration of long lists of the prelates
who will surround him as the spiritual
mead OF 300,000,000 persons. There are
unlikely to be very radical changes in
the pontifical household since Cardinal
Gasparri retains his post as secretary
OF state, and many Of Benedict's ap-
polntees are certain to be reinstated.
An army of workmen was busy in
the Vatican today, re-establishing the
offices, ante-rooms and audience cham
bers, and the beds. tables. chairs and
wash-stands used for the conclave
were being returned 10 the hospitals
and colleges from which they were
secured
Within day or two all will be as
usual the ambassadors will be max
ing their calls on the new pontiff and
the flowing robes of the prelates and
uniforms OF the diplomats again will
be in evidence.
First Statement.
Prince Chlgi-Albani, the marshal of
the conclave, by order of the secretary
OF state of the conclave, issued the
following:
His holiness Pope Plus XI. while
making every reservation in favor of
the inviolable rights of the church
and the Holy See, which rights he has
sworn to defend, has given his first
blessing from the exterior balcony
overlooking the square of st. Peters
IN the special intention that his bless
ing should be addressed not only to
those IN Rome and Italy but to ali ma
tlons and all peoples, and should bring
10 the whole world the wish and an
nouncement of that universal pacifica-
Ilon we all so ardently desire
NEW YORK, Feb. "A pledge Of
devotion from the 100000 members of
the knights of Columbus in the Unit
ed States, Canada, New Foundland.
CUBA and Mexico, will be delivered to
the new pope, Plus XI, by special
representative of the organization
Edward L. Hearn, of this CITY, an
nounced today he would sail Saturday
for Italy, where he is to direct the
proposed Knights of Columbus vel
rare work program. Before taking
up these duties he will visit the Vati-
can and present the pledge, it was an
nounced.
Expressions Of fealty from the or
ganlzation already have been sent to
the pope through Cardinal Casparri
to whom Supreme knight James A
Flaherty of the knights of Columbus
cabled, asking that the tribute be laid
before Plus XI in the name of the or
ganization's members.