The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-14
A Thought for Today
The World Mourns

who was Achille Ratti. Since the news was flashed last Thursday night, the death of the late Pontiff has become a world event. It is not only the Catholic world that has been and still is, paying honor to his memory. Catholic, Chris tian and Jew are extolling his virtues, which were so many that 1t is beyond oral or written speech to tell even half the story of the late pontiff since his appoint ment as head of the Roman Cathohc church seventeen years ago. Editorial after editorial speech after speech, ser mon after sermon, from the pulpit, the lecture platform, and over the radio words have been spoken in praise ot the Holy Father, words that have not been uttered merely as matter of form ana good taste but words that have come from the heart. If ever our American press has been sincere and truthful It has been in its recording of the passing of a great and holy man.
 In our own local churches Sunday, the Pope was fittingly eulogized. Preach CTS were inspired to utter significant and fitting words that will finger in the minds of multitudes, we hope. Almost every hour Sunday, speakers, Catholic and non-Catholic, likewise Jew, devoted time to paraphrase of the life or the Pontiff, or to some phase of his reign; his outstanding actions or utterings ln worldly sense, or his sublime spiritual achievements, the two distinct but one a part of the other, since everything Pope Plus did in worldly way was for a spiritual end One was impressed With the words of Right Reverend Monsignor Fulton Sheen in his Catholic Hour address Sunday night when he opened with the words, "He was not leader, he was leadership" Monsignor Sheen stressed the distinction. And it was brought home to listeners that leader can bring about chaos in the world, but a humble leadership is one in which he who leads effaces himself. but works quietly but unmistakably for the good of all mankind.
 The life of Achille Ratti who was later Pope Plus XI through no effort Of his, because he did not consider himself great, important in life, has become more important in death. His deeds while liv- ing, we took as a matter of course; through death they take on a greater importance and the world in general is now going about the task of translating every action and pronouncement of his, the most important, it goes without say ing, of any person living; not only in matters of spiritual import but in matters that affect the whole world. It goes without saying that proper translation of the spoken and written words of the late Pontiff would do much to solve the social and economic problems of the day.
 In a grasping world the holy Pontiff wanted peace. He prayed for it, and as it has been pointed out to us, and as we have read he offered his life as a sacri- flee for peace in the world. Eventually that life was taken, and right thinking Catholic, Christian and Jew, should pray, as Plus did with his dying breath for peace The world is mourning Pope Plus, who was Achille Ratti. Sadness is universal, but this sadness should not be alone for the Pope, who did his work well, but for his flock and for all the world outside his flock, for it is their personal sadness, and they appreciate through his death, the passing of holy wise and just man, who could not err when teaching the doctrine of faith and morals nor erred in propounding prob- lems of the day May we add again with Monsignor Sheen, that "he was not a leader he was leadership" Today the Pope's body is inferred; each ritual will have a special significance. The mourning, however, will not end with the words, "requieScat in pace," for the deeds of this holy man will not be in- tered with his bones they will live after him to the end of time, since he will be written into sacred and secular history as very humble but very great man.