Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-06
The NezO Vatican Kingdom.
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Continued from Fourth Page
turtles, their property was often cOnfiScated but
they remained always powerful families and
gave many popes cardinals, statesmen and
soldiers to the Catholic Church. ell
The head of the Chigi inheritS the Office
OF the Master of Sacred OSpce. These noble
dignitaries perform their functions during the
most imposing ceremonials and receptions held
in the Vatican.
A NEW Office created by Plus XII after the
signing OF the Lateran Treaty, is the gov
ernor Of the Vatican City now held by Comm.
Comilo Serafin. The governor regulates all
administrative and financial affairs inside the
Vatican City. In this regard it must be noted
that the Vatican contains only few depart
mentS of the Curia, which consists of various
officers and congregations scattered over Rome.
All the buildings belonging to the Holy See
situated outside the Vatican are provided with
special immunities and diplomatic guarantees
which are extended to the patriarchal BASIL
lcas and the residences and the Offices of the
foreign representatives to the Papal Court
Inc departments OF Curia located outside the
vatican are concerned with ecclesiastical af-
fairs, with theological studies, with the religi-
Gus missions, with Biblical researches and with
relations to the non-Catholic world Their
staff is composed of specialists forming inter-
national committees with a cardinal at the
head. The most important Offices are to be
found within the Vatican precincts namely.
the Secretariate of State. Cardinal Gasparri
held this position from 1914 until his recent
death shortly after formation of the new state
Next of Importance to the Secretary of State
is the Project of the Holy Once, concerned
with the discipline of the Church. This Office
was held by Cardinal Merry del Val, who was
the son of Spanish diplomat of Irish ex-
traction. Merry is typical Irish name as
Del Val is typically Spanish.
He was educated in England and lived most
OF his long career in Rome, becoming first an
Italian citizen and then Vatican citizen He
was one of the most experienced diplomats Of
the church, having served as Secretary of
State under the Pontificate of Plus x. He was
also the Archpriest of st. Peters, and lived
within the Vatican in the Palazzo di Santa
Maria until his death
THE Cardinals OF Curia resident in Rome
number altogether co. and represent vari-
Gus Cotholic nations, Italians retaining the
majority. They have executive and secreta-
rial functions and special committees, of which
the most important are Cardinals Congrega-
tons, and they collectively meet the Pope when
the Consstory is held in the historic Sistine
Chapel
Since the Papal State has been restored to
the original of the Vatican City of early Christ
1anity. all the Cardinals resident in Rome have
acquired Vatican citizenship. BY this act the
new Vatican State has begun to manifest its
sovereignty and independence. Then funda-
mental law was promulgated. BY this con-
stitution the legislative and judicial powers are
under the Pope, who may by his special act
authorize the governor to devise practical reg
uations. :.
Then the Vatican State issued a complete
set OF postage stamps, started its own postal
and Geographic service, and inaugrated the
work of the installation of powerful wireless
station for sending messages to the Old World.
A railroad line 600 meters long is under con-
Struction, bringing the Papal trains within
the walls of the Vatican City. 1t is also con-
temDlated establishing aviation field from
which Papal airplanes will take off and fly
to foreign countries when technicalitieS of
international air traffic are all properly ironed
out.
A N additional number of Swiss Guards has
been enlisted in the Papal troops which,
besides these faithful soldiers furnished from
the Catholic cantons of Switzerland are COM
posed of Palatine trools, of 800 Romans Of
artisan classes, gendarmcs numbering 100. and
Noble Guards, formed by 70 officers Of Ital-
ian nobility.
The constitution Of the Vatican provides q
complete legal system. Civil cases are TO be