The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1958-10-17

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from four universities and be-
fore leaving was the luncheon
guest OF President Roosevelt.
After his return TO Rome he
said that his travels in the
United States had left one of
the deepest impressions OF his
life and that he would always
have the wsrrnest memories of
his "trip here.
He was sent to France in
1887 as Legate to the blessing
of the Lisieux Basilica built in
honor of st. Therese. While
there he was received by
President Lebrun. The next
year he was named a Legate
for the fourth time, represent
ing the Holy Father at the
Eucharistic Congress in Buda-
pest.
ELECTED POPE
In February, 1889, Plus XII
died. AS Chamberlain, Cardi-
nal Pacelli certified the Pope's
death and took charge of ar
rangements to elect his sue
cessor.
Before The eonelave met,
fhs maxi and fascist presses
started . vicious campaign in
m attempt 10 dictate the
choice Of The new Pontiff.
But the campaigns were fu-
tile. On March 2, on the third
ballot, he won the votes Of
81 of the 81 Cardinals in con-
clave. Only his own vote had
been cast for another candi-
date.
His election, first TO be IN.
novnesd TO the world by rs-
do, wss everywhere greeted
with enthusiasm. In Rome
crowds ismmed St. Peters
Square 10 cheer their first ma
five Pontiff in more than Two
centuries. Beyond the Eternal
City his election was psrfievl.
sriy popular since he was
known personally by many
thousands Of people In many
countries. He had lived In
Germany for II years, passed
most OF his vsessions In Swift
xerIsnd, and visited Spain,
France. England. Austria and
Hungary In Europe Is we'll -
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and
The United States in The new
world.
WORK FOR A
But probably the chief rea-
son for his popularity was the
general feeling and hope that
he would continue his pre-
d~ecessor's work for peace.
These hopes were justified.
In his first statement rs
Pope, made on the day after
his election, he said: "The
fairest Of all Gods gifts, which
passes all understanding, is
80. peace"
Plus XII was crowned March
IL, 1899. The heads Of some 40
states sent representatives. in.
GLIDING for the first time the
United States. After his coro.
nation the Pope's thoughts
again turned to peace when
he said: Nothing Is lost by
peace, all may be lost by war
=. Let the strong and mighty
listen to Us and use their pow.
er not for destruction but fol
construction"
Tho Holy Fathers words
however, went vnhssdsd
Barely six months after III.
election German soldiers In
vsdsd Poland and World Wa
II began. On the eve Of TN
invasion His Holiness hss
made one last effort 10 aver,
ths conflict. Calling The On
voys Of Great Britain, France
Poland. Germany and issI,
Into audience, he sent = mes
sage through them 70 III,
heads Of their governments
asking them to abstain from
taking any steps capable o
s%ssravatins the present Ten
SION. But TO no avail.
World War II was q tremen
dous trial for the Pope. Wa
itself, with its sufferings ant
death, grieved him. Nor wa!
he far from personal danger
The fate of Rome, though de
clared an open city, long huns
in the balance. When bomb.
finally did fall on the city, hi
went out into the streets tt
give encouragement to the
people, thus earning anew hi.
age-old title Of Defender ol
thu CITY.