Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-02
KENNEDY
President aIks Privately
With Pope About Peace

slowed in creating man to His
own image and likeness.
I'VE are ever mindful in our
prayers of the efforts to ensure
to all your citizens the equal
benefits Of citizenship, which
have as their foundation the
equality of all men because Of
their dignity as persons and
children Of God.
THE untiring striving to OBJ
tain world peace is to be COM
mended highly, and we are con-
fident that these labors viii
find a ready response in all
men of good will.
Universal peace in charity
and justice can be achieved,
and we feel that the efforts of
the United States will bear
fruit and help to secure for all
peoples of this troubled world
that peace which will enable
them to prosper and to enjoy
the blessings which God in
tends for them. To this end,
following the example of our
predecessors, we, too, are dedi-
eating our prayers, our enef-
gies, and our life.
I'VE extend to you q heart
felt welcome, and through your
excellency we wish to send our
greetings to Mrs. Kennedy, to
your family and to all the citi-
zens of your country, invoking
upon them the abundant bless
ings Of God"
1889 Meeting Recalled
The Pope read from an arm
chair, not a throne, sitting at
the same level as Mr.. Kennedy
alongside in another armchair.
The Pope recalled meeting
the President when Mr.. Ken
nedy came with his father to
the coronation of Pope Plus XII
in 1889. Pope Paul also recalled
he had visited the United States
twice and commented:
I'VE were able to experience
personally the many admirable
qualities which have made
yours a leading member Of the
family of nations. The warm
and sincere hospitality which
was extended to us wherever we
went left upon US q lasting
impression"
Gifts Exchanged
Mr.. Kennedy presented the
Pope a desk box In vermeil
gilded silver, lined in red vel
vet and with the papal coat Of
arms and the presidential seal
engraved on the lid. He also
gave the pontiff a silver
framed autographed photo
graph Of himself.
/ Pope Paul presented the
President a small reproduction
of Michelangelo's Pieta. which
Pope John had agreed to send
to the New York Worlds Fair
next year; a rosary for Mrs,
Kennedy, an autographed pho
tograph of himself and small
medals on gold chains for the
Presidents children.
From the Vatican, Mr.. Ken
nedy drove TO the Pontifical
North American College on
Janiculum Hill, overlooking st.
Peters Basilica.
MementOes From Pope John
There, Richard Cardinal
Gushing of Boston gave Mr..
Kennedy gifts that Pope John
XIII had been collecting be-
fore his death with the inten-
ton of giving them to Mr.. Ken
nedy at an audience that was
never held.
Mr.. Kennedy was very
solemn as Cardinal Gushing
presented the gifts, repeatedly
referring to the late beloved
Pope"
The gifts included q person
ally autographed copy Of Pop.
Johns 'Pacem In ferris
: (peace on earth) encyclical.
Other gifts we're q complete
series Of silver, gold and bronze
medals struck in 1861 on the
! occasion Of Pope Johns sociaI
encyclical Mater ct Magistra'
: (mother and teacher) and an.
: other series struck two months
ago when the Pope received
the Balkan Peace Prize.
e II have only one regret. that
/ you have never personally met
the extraordinary Pope, John
r XIII" the cardinal told Mr.
! Kennedy.
2 The Boston Archbishop said
= Pope Paul had instructed him
TO extend to President Kennedy
: the Pope's "affectionate greet.
} ings and blessings" for his
:, ailing father, Joseph p. Ken
E nedy.
When Mr.. Kennedy and Mrs
: Smith arrived at the college
: Cardinal Cushing embraced
Y Mrs. Smith and kissed her on
: both checks. "