The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-22
Text Of PopoI Expect Fall Note Re Rome Of Boiroko
(Continued from Page D

(COUUllueO lTOI1l HdSe U
 ancient city, for us Rome is the Holy City of Catholicism risen and shining with dazzling glory in the name of Christ, rich in marvellous monuments of religion and art, guardian of the most precious doc uments and relics: Rome, in whose catacombs in the time of fiercest prosecutions were the first refugees of the Christian people and of martyrs who rendered sacred the ampitheaters and circuses, to whose burial places people descend to pray today as they did in the very cradle of Christianity; Rome, in whose territory are scattered the various organs of the Roman curia, numer- ous institutes and pontifical under takings, international societies and colleges under our dependence; so many sanctuaries without mention ing our patriarchal basilicas, so many libraries and works of the most famous artistic geniuses; Rome, to whom people in such large numbers come to learn not only the faith but also the ancient wisdom and regard as a lighthouse of civilization founded upon Chris tian virtuue.
 Vatican in City's Center
 But besides, almost in the center of the city-and therefore exposed to danger of aerial attack-is our Vatican City, independent and neu- tral state which guards priceless treasures of faith and art, sacred patrimony not only of the Apostolic See but of the entire Catholic world.
 All this we have clearly and re- peatedly made apparent in recom- mending the safety of Rome to those to whom it was a duty to safeguard it in the name of human dignity and Christian civilization.
 It seemed permitted to us to hope that the weight of such evident ar guments, the authority with which we are unWorthily invested, the common acknowledgement of our impartiality and the wide spread constant and beneflcent &C., tivity which we have undertaken for the good of all, without dis tinction of nationality or religious affiliation, would have obtained for us, among so many bitter expe- riences, the comfort of finding among both contending belligerentS 8 favorable reception to our inter cession on behalf of Rome.
 Unfortunately, however, this, our most reasonable hope, has proved a disappointment.
 And now the very thing we dep recated has happened: the very thing which we feared and foresaW has becomfe sad reality because one of the most noted Of Roman basili- cas, the San Lorenzo outside the walls, held sacred by all Catholics for its ancient traditions and for the magnificent tomb of our vene- rated predecessor, Plus xI, is now almost completely destroyed.
 Venerated Edifices
 In contemplating the ruins of this monumental basilica there came to our mind the words of the prophet Jeremias (Jeremias W, D. The sorrowful experience of these acts proves once again that despite the precautions which may be taken 1t is almost impossible to avoid on this sacred soil of Rome the de- struction of venerated edifices.
 Therefore, we deem it our duty once more to raise our voice in de- fense of the priceless treasures that constitute the ornament of human and Christian grandeur, and also be- cause it is our sacred intention, accordoing to the promptings of our heart, to safeguard and protect, in view of the opinion of all right thinking people and of the judg- ment of future generations, the de- posit which we have been entrusted to protect and to transmit.
 Even though our words come from wounded heart, they are intended not as spur to resentment and hatred but, as we earnestly hope, as an insistent and efhcacious re- call to sense of lofty compreher- sion of the sacred destiny of Rome, no less than to humanity and to Christian charity.
 To our beloved flock of Rome, so severely tried and who's epitiful con- ditions we were able to see with our own eyes in the midst of re- cent ruins, we tried to bring im- mediate and all poSSible relief with the means at our disposal. To them we now say show forth to- day more than ever before the ardor and proof of that faith for which the Apostles of Gentiles gave praise to your forbears.
 Christian Resignation
 May Christian resignation make your sorrow and privation meritori- ous. May this misfortune incite