Evening star., 1948-03-29
Pope Declares. World
Is al Crossroads on
Red Issue in Italy
BY the Assoeioted Press

VATICAN CITY. Mar. 29.-Pope
Plus XII says Italy and the world
are at the crossroads in the contest
over communism.
THE great hour Of Christian con-
science has sounded" the Pope pro-
claimed in an Easter blessing yes
terday.
The whitehead pontiff spoke
from balcony Of st. Peters, the
worlds largest church. Some 400
000-equal to a fourth of Rome's
population-heard him from the
sunlit square below.
His talk came little more than
three weeks before Italys April Is
election test between communism
and it's foes. His listeners, mostly
Italian, outnumbered any political
gathering to date.
"Agitators'' Denounced.
He did not mention communism
by name. But hearers plainly caught
the meaning of his references to
"deniers of that which is most
sacred" and "agitators who make
the negation of Christ the corner
stone Of their work."
"Over this multitude of believing
Rome there lies almost q shadow
of singular gravity . =" the Pope
said.
Rome now finds herself before,
or better, in the midst of, a turn
ing of the times which requires
of the head and members OF
Christianity the highest vigilance,
untiring preparedness and uncon-
ditioned action"
Warns Against Credulity.
He reminded his audience Of the
terrible verdict" of Jesus Christ:
who is not with me is against me" !"
"You beloved sons and daughters
we'll comprehend what such a
crossroads signifies and contains
for Rome, for Italy, for the world,
he said.
I'm your conscience, aroused to
full understanding of its RESPONSE
bility, there is no place for blind
credulity toward those who at
first are abundant with affirmations
Of respect for religion, but then,
alas, reveal themselves the deniers
of that which is most sacred.
TN your conscience there is no
place for cowardice, for accom-
modation, for the irresolution of
those who in this crucial hour be-
ieve they serve two masters.
Asks Thoughts of Peace.
"Your conscience knows that the
realization of social justice and
peace among nations can never be
achieved or preserved if the eyes are
closed to the light of Christ and the
ears opened instead to the erroneous
words of agitators who make the
negation of Christ the corner stone
of their work"
He invited the worlds people ito
thoughts and designs of peace and
closed by pronouncing upon the
throng "our paternal apostolic bene-
diction"
The Pope stood in the center bal
cony above a huge papal flag. His
gestures were emphatic His voice
was vibrant and forceful. Twenty
loudspeakers, jutting from windows
OF the basilica, magnif1ed his words.
Three light planes roared low
over the crowd dropping thousands
OF handbills. Most of the bills bore
the one letter MISUNDERSTOOD vari-
ously to mean vita Qife), victory
and vote.
Cnpoe rorrioI 1iEn,,oee NJ
seppe Garibaldi, Italian patriot,
which, turned upside down, became
a glaring Stain. The Communist
dominated Popular Front has taken
Garibaldi's picture. for its emblem.
Premier Alcide De Gasperi, head
of the anti-C Communist Christian
Democrats, was cheered when he
arrived to hear the Pope speak.
The surge Of Romans toward the
Vatican left suburbs virtually de-
serted In the big stone oval facing
st. Peters, they joined visitors from
all over the globe.
There were priests from every part
of the world-black ones from
Africa. slant-eyed ones from the
Orient, red-robed ones from Ger
many. There were diplomats with
their ladies in gay Easter dress
tourists from Northern Europe and
America, WACS from Germany.
Standing in well ordered lines were
the youth of Catholic Action, the
church's 40O0,O 0,OO0-strong striking
force in its new crusade. Theil
banners proclaimed, Who is italian
Loves the Pope" who Wants Peace
Is With the Pope" They shouted
rhythmically, like college cheering
SQUADS, viva IL Papa"
Through the afternoon, they
roamed the streets arm in arm
cheering the Premier and the Pope