The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-24


Ends With Benediction
He ended with a benediction, and
at once the speech was given tr
English translation. The translated
version took but 10 minutes to de-
liver - Evidence of the difficulty
with which the Pope spoke, taking
20 minutes to deliver the same text
TRANSACTIONS were given then ir
German. French, Spanish, Neither
lands, Polish and Portuguese, tc
reach those In countries all around
the world who listened. some In the
early morning, others late at night
on this Christmas eve - from
Samoa, where 1t was only a. m.
around to New Zealand where II
was II p. m, only an hour to Christ
mas day.
Listeners here interpreted ref
erence by the Pope to those who
were fighting communism with
false and fatal ideas" as aimed at
Nazi Germany's church policy.
Effort Was Obvious
1t was q poignant speech. His
effort was obvious. AT times his
words we're but mumbled; at others
he marshaled his strength and
shouted into the microphone fixed
before him above his bed to stress
some point. Both a little after his
start and again at the end he could
be heard distinctly sobbing AND
choking over his words as his mind
reviewed what were TO him supreme
horrors that confronted the worlc
for whose salvation he had fought
stoutly all his life.
In the bed room during the adj
dress were Cardinal Pacelli, secre.
tary Of state Of the Vatican; two
private secretaries of the Pope
Father Soccorsi, head Of the Vatican
City Radio Station; his assistant
Andrea Moarchese. and Professor
Aminta Milani. the Pope's physician
Watched With Anxiety
DR.. Milani watched with obvious
anxiety.
Other high officials OF the church
listened from the office of Cardina
Pacelli, with deep emotion. Some
feared, only half way through, thai
the Pope would be unable to finish
Normally, the Pope would have
addressed the entire membership o.
the College Of Cardinals In Vatican
City. 1t is the custom for them u
visit the Pope on Christmas eve ane
give him their greetings for Christ
mas and the New Year, and he re-
spends. But this year because o
his failing health 1t was decided a
first that he should address only {
selected few Of them; then that h
must speak almost alone; then tina
he must speak from his vince
chair; finally that he must speal
In bed.
Was Breathing Heavily
It was clear that this precautior
was a wise one. The Pope's heav.
breathing could be heard through
out his speech; he had to clear hi
throat frequently. Midway through
he said bring the microphon'
closer" and after a reference to tn
Catholic action organization h
stopped to drink water. This diff
Guilty was painful TO his listeners
He had a hard time pronouncinl
some words, he repeated others ant
made several mistakes, for instanc
using the feminine gender wher
the masculine was indicated an
vice versa. He departed from tn
printed text when he said Jesus
instead OF Christ. Quoting Cor
inthians, ne had to repeat himsel
when ne omitted the Latin verb tn
first time.
A single microphone was place'
on q table beside the Pope's RICH
hand. He sat up in bed through
out. A reading lamp was held be
hind his head.
Thanks God, Falls Asleep
Immediately after the speed
Professor Miami hurried to tn
Pope,s side and gave him a glass o
water. Then followed a cup OF no
broth to induce relaxation.
just before the Pope fell asleer
the head Of the radio station toll
him that his voice had been hear,
In New York and other cities al
over the world. He reported goo'
reception.
"Thank God" the Pope said, ant
fell asleep.