Evening star., 1949-12-23
President and Pope
Exchange Messages,
Call for World Peace
Continued From First Page.)

l. -
Piles to persuade and encourage the
leaders of the few nations not fol-
lowing this path to an enlightened
and advancing world order founded
on morality, justice, truth and free
dom to permit their peoples to live
also as good neighbors, and to join
with the multitude in striving to
build world wholly and truly at
peace.
It is at this Christmastide when,
consecrating ourselves afresh to the
service of mankind and meditating
on the glorious lessons for man
taught by the life of the Saviour,
all men of good will can again feel
in their hearts the inward peace
that is the Well-Spring of the Good
Life. To bring just, enduring
peace among the nations is the great
task that beckons still ahead and
calls for re-dedication.
Mindful of its Christian heritage,
and Of the moral tenets that alone
can lead to the Good and the True
in the lives of the far-fung COM
munity of the nations as in the
lives of individuals, the United
States gladly re-dedicates its efforts
to the creation of peaceful and
advancing world order. This is my
message to you for the most blessed
day of the year.
The tolloUing reply 1Das received
iron, His Holiness:
We have just received your kind
letter of December II, 1949, which
has been presented to us personally
by Mr.. Myron c. Taylor.
While once again bidding cor
dial welcome to your worthy per-
sonal representative, we hasten to
express our appreciation of the
noble sentiments which inspire your
Christmas message.
Your Excellency has appropriately
made reference to the great bene-
fits that the birth and mission of
the Divine Redeemer have brought
to mankind.
Indeed, salvation will not come
for the world until mankind, deriv-
ing its inspiration from the teach
ings and example of Christ, comes
to recognize that all men are chill
dren of the One Father who is in
heaven, destined to be truly broth
ers through union with His Divine
Son, whom He sent to be redeemer
OF all.
Only this brotherhood gives to
man, with the highest sense OF per-
sonal dignity, assurance OF true
equality, the necessary basis of jus
tice.
Only this brotherhood guarantees
the gift of true liberty in the en-
joyment of our rights and in the
fulfllment of our duties in obedi-
enee to the laws given by Almighty
God and His Divine Son for the
morality and sanctity Of human
life.
Only this brotherhood inspires,
nourishes, and revives in the hearts
of men that true charity which alb
hors all oppression and violence;
which rises above egotism, whether
in individuals or peoples; which
is able to sacrifice itself for the
common good and to give generously
of itself to the destitute and to re-
lieve those who are suffering.
These are the foundations upon
which must be built the structure
of peace-this also a gift of the
Divine Saviour-a peace which is
real and solid, just and enduring.
Toward the attainment of this
peace, we have ever dedicated all
our efforts: first, that war be
averted; later, that its destruction
and resulting griefs be circum-
scribed; and now, to lessen the
sorrowful consequences that still to-
day press heavily on so large part
of the human family.
In this beneficent work of Chris
tian charity, we are pleased once
again to recall-that it may be re-
corded to their honor-the cordial
understanding and the valued CO.
operation of the people of the United
States. In this generosity, so boun-
teous and spontaneous, we recognize
with pleasure, and hold up as an
example to all, that good will which,
according to the Christmas message
OF the angels, gives glory to God
and hastens the coming of peace
on earth.
We invoke the light, assistance
and blessing of the Christ Child
upon Your Excellency's person and
work, as well as upon all your fellow
citizens, who courageouly strive to
find and follow the road leading
to a peaceful future for mankind.