The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1951-11-16
BY Rev. Joseph Sullivan
Correspondent, N.C.W.C.
News Service)


News Service)
CASTELGANDOLF0-When Fa-
ther Eugenio Pscelli, more than
half century ago, completed his
graduate studies and began to work
in the central headquarters of the
Church which he now heads as
Pope Plus XII, some parish in
Rome lost the opportunity to have
one day perfectly wonderful pas
tor.
Anyone who has had the privi-
lege of attending the informal pub
lie audiences which His Holiness
has granted three times a week for
the past two years at his summer
home here would surely agree with
this statement. These audiences
began in the summer of the Holy
Year by popular demand when pill
grims who could not attend the
general audiences in st. Peters.
or were not satisfied with having
seen the Pope only once, came in
ever growing numbers to Castel-
gandolfo begging for another
glimpse of the Holy Father.
AS soon as His Holiness realized
this, he consented and had the
folks gathered in the courtyard,
where he came to balcony and
visite d with them. That was
enough. The word went about like
wiIdfire and from then on these
informal courtyard audiences be-
came an institution, three after
moons week at about five o'clock.
This correspondent &c t1y
made several trips to attend some
of these delightful meetings, pri-
marily, to tell the truth, for his
own enjoyment and edification, but
also for the purpose of recording
once more, as the current season
nears its close, the fact, the fruit
and 1--WE may even say) the fun of
these unique events.
Without preliminaries, with no
advance warning except slight
rustic of the curtain in the door of
the balcony, the Holy Father stands
before them, garbed in white, arms
outstretched in greeting and face
wreathed in smiles.
When the welcoming cheers have
subsided, it is the Pope's turn, and
it is with obvious happiness that
he steps to the microphone on the
balcony'S railing to match the en-
thusiasm of his children's devo-
ton with the affection of his wei
come to their common fathers
home. Usually he begins to speak
in Italian, since chances are there
are more Italians present than peo-
pie of any other nationality. Then,
his greeting may come in French or
German, together with a word OF
blessing and a fathers thought or
two of spiritual nature. English,
Spanish and Portuguese follow IN
the same strain, friendly, kindly,
smiling grace in every word.
During these greetings the Pom
tiff reads from a list in his hand
the names and countries of groups
known to be present. Be they small
or large, these groups of people we
with each other in the spirit and
volume with which they acknowl-
edge the Holy Fathers mention oil
their country or places. 1t is dur
ing these moments that the real
fun comes-for Pope and for peo-
pie. Perhaps there are two groups
from one country and the Pope
mentions only one of them. The
others don't stand for that. they
shout, "Holy Father, we're here
tool" "Who's that" he says, asking
perhaps two or three times until
he understands, and then he greets
the second group by name, with
a special blessing" for them, their
loved ones at home and for their
particular work. :.
The Pope so obviously enjoys II
all that he seems TO look for more
people to greet. He asks If there
is anyone else who has not been
mentioned and seizes every oppor-
tunity to make a little joke or have
an added laugh.
Perhaps there is delegation
from a Sisters or Brothers,
school so, you are from such and
such a school, are your" Yes, "
they shout. "And are you all good
students?" the Pope asks, and there
is a noticeable decrease in the vol
ume of the yes" His Holiness