The Wilmington morning star., 1946-04-23
MORE ABOUT
POPE
FROM PAGE ONE
Warm Tribute

Paying warm tribute to the
traditional generosity Of the Ameri.
can people, the Pope repeatedly ex-
pressed hope that the western world
would continue to make major
contribution to alleviate humanity s
present dire need for food.
I believe that the pontiff has
confidence that South America,
particularly Argentina-which the
holy father singled out in discus
sion of the famine threat-will help
to rescue great numbers of the
human race who have insufficient
bread.
| Participating in the audience
were Virgil Pinkley, United Press
vice-presideat Of Europe, and J..
:! Edward Murray, Rome manager
Of the United Press.
American Jeep
We drove an American jeep
through the sunny streets of Rome
up to the towering dome of Saint
Peters cathedral and thence turned
left to the entrance Of the court
yard Of Saint Damusus and the
apostolic palace. The blue-clad
Swiss guard with bayoneted rifle
came to attention, saluted and
examined our credentials briefly.
waving US OH.
We entered the apostolic palace
and assembled by elevator to the
second floor. We were escorted to
the papal throne room where the
Pope receives ambassadors and
talked briefly with members of
the noble guards, wearing blue and
gold uniforms and carrying cere-
monial swords. The throne room
is hung in scarlet and the throne
rests on a red carpeted dais. The
floor is covered with crimson car
pet on which is inscribed around
the edges the latin words for
Faith, Hope, Charity, Temper
ance, Justice and Providence"
"Avanti''
After we had talked with the No
BILE guards about 10 minutes, Har-
old Macmillan, former member of
the Allied commission for Italy
and now a Conservative member
of the House of Commons, emerged
from the Pope's library. We were
next on the audience list. The mon
signor In waiting to the pontiff,
clad in purple robes, examined our
credentials and said, "Avanti Cor
ward)."
We went through three rooms in
the Pope's private apartments in
each of which was stationed a
member of the noble guard who
saluted as we passed. Finally we
came to a plain wooden door which
the monsignor-in waiting opened
and pshered us into the papal IL
brary.
The holy father smiled a well
come as we advanced and bowed
and shook hands. We took seats in
three red covered chairs before
his desk.
Function OF Journalism
The pontiff glanced at our letters
Of introduction and opened the con
versation by addressing each Of us
by name. The discussion proceeded
then on the role and function of
journalism in world affairs and at
the suggestion Of the Pope we gave
our impressions on conditions in
the various countries we had visit
ed.
The holy father emphasized the
urgent need Of free flow of news
and information to all parts of the
world, especially at the present
time, as a contribution in promot-
ing better relations among nations
which he rgarded as essential to
lasting peace.
The pontiff impressed upon US
the great responsibility and oppor-
tunity newspapers and radio have
to disseminate truly democratic
ideas and ideals through the distri-
button of impartial information.
Freedom Of Expression
From discussion of our prob
lens as journalists in reporting the
news in various parts of the world
gained the impression the holy
father has hoped that objective in
formation will continue to circulate
and penetrate the areas which have
been deprived by war Of freedom
of thought and expression.
I mentioned the Pope's visit to
the United States in 1886 when he
was the papal secretary of state
and he recalled having travelled
across the country by plane. He
spoke in warm terms of America
as a great and generous country
and expressed the belief that the
United States would be among the
leaders in reconstructing the war
torn world.
Food Need Urgent
AS happened so freqe-ltly during
the audience the conversation again
turned to food and the holy father
expressed the urgency of getting
any food SURPRISES in the western
hemisphere to areas of famine.
received the impression his great
est expectation was that the needy
areas would receive grain from