Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
Papal Peacemaker Retires

Catholic traditions, in spite Of the ac-
tive opposition Of a militant Protestant
majority, a satisfactory concordat has
been entered into between Germany
and the Holy See, and the man who.
after Gasparri. is largely responsible for
this agreement--the recently created
Cardinal Pacelli-ls to be named the
new cardinal secretary of state.
Reconciliation Called Miracle.
To one who can remember the Italy
OF the early years of this century the
reconciliation between the Vatican and
that country cannot but make an i'm
preston Of first-class political mir
acle. Since 1870 the burden of Italian
politics, national and international. has
been to hold the Pope before the world
In the role OF "disruptionist" and in
transigent. A vocal anti-clericalism
and a militant Socialism united to heap
abuse on the Holy See and all things
religious. The atmosphere even of the
City of Rome was a decidedly unhealthy
one for the upholders of the immemo-
\ rial rights Of the popes to sovereignty
and spiritual freedom. Italian poll
ticians for half a century have put
every conceivable obstacle in the way
of q settlement o: the Roman ques-
| tioll." They had even gone so far as 20
sign a secret treaty with England.
France and Russia. article XIV Of which
obligated these nations Ito support Italy
in her desire for nom admittance of the
Holy See to any kind of diplomatic
steps for the conclusion of peace or for
the regulation OF questions arising from
] the war
| With the advent OF Mussolmi ,
power the atmosphere Of Italy began to
change. The rightful place which re-
ligion holds in the life of the Italian
people was recognized, the Pope was
acknowledged to be what he is-not an
Italian citizen, but the common father
of Catholics the world over. From the
acceptance of these principles to a full
recognition Of his sovereignty was not
a long journey. Fascist Italy took the
step, but 1t can be stated without fear
OF contradiction that 1t would not have
been done If Cardinal Gasparri and
the Pope had not been willing that the
issue should be closed
Some day the full history of these
negotiations between Mussolini and
GaSparri will be given to the public.
In the meantime the treaty of peace
and the concordat are public documents,
! from which any one can learn what
4 great and statesmanlike qualities are
kposSesSed not only by MllSsolini but by
the cardinal secretary of ctate as well,
how in most dificult circumstances
tCSasparri has carried the church to a
world position, the mere possibility of
which so years ago would have been
regarded as the idle dream of a fanci-
full ,theorist.
Man of Simple Habits.
Cardinal Gasparri is a simple man
simple in his habits, in his life, In his
attitudes, in his thoughts. At the bot
tom of all his successes we find an in
exhaustible fund of common sense.
Where other man see difficulties and
oftentimes conjure them up, he be-
holds the straight path leading to I'M
derstanding and peace. He Is not a
man Of compromises. On the contrary,
he has always stood firm for principle.
But he has faith in his fellow men. and
is convinced that II the correct and
sound way Of doing things is presented
to an antagonist the road is thereby
opened to complete understanding be-
tween them.
He leaves the service of Plus XII with
the plaudits of the world ringing in his
ears He has achieved a place among
the great papal secretaries of state, but
neither the applause nor the public
recognition which has come to him will
change his character in the least He
has his eyes turned to a greater and
more lasting reward-the reward of the
faithful servant" of the Gospels. AS
servant of the Prince of Peace" this
modern apostle Of goodness and under
standing between the nations has done
as much as any living man to bring to
Its fun realization the motto of Plus
XXI, whom he has so faithfully served
Pax Christi In regno Christi"