DLA099-0030  Transcription

Sunday Chronicle (Manchester), 14 April 1929

HIS HOLINESS UNLIKELY TO LEAVE ROME.

THE DIFFICULTIES OF MAKING A TOUR ABROAD.

“LITTLE JEALOUSIES.”

A SPECIAL INTERVIEW IN THE VATICAN.

Today the Sunday Chronicle is able to announce exclusively that—

The Pope will not visit Britain; that

He has decided that he will not be able to visit any foreign countries; and that

The reason for this decision is that his Holiness fears that if such journeys were undertaken jealousies might be stirred up between various Roman Catholic communities by reason of the fact that many would inevitably be missed out.

News of the Vatican’s ruling in this matter was obtained by Mr. Paul de Laszlo, son of Mr. Philip de Läszlo, the world-famous painter, in the only authoritative interview with Pius XI. since the signing of the treaty which gave the Pontiff freedom to leave the confines of the Holy See and thus raised the hopes of millions of Roman Catholics throughout the world.

With this interview the Sunday Chronicle also reproduces the fine painting of the Pope recently completed by Mr. Philip de Laszlo for the Bodleian Library at Oxford [6690]—the university for which the Pope, as expressed in a generous tribute, retains many happy memories.

AN INTIMATE TALK WITH THE PONTIFF.

By PAUL De LASZLO.

Rome, Saturday.

Now that the Pope’s self-imposed imprisonment within the Vatican has, after 60 years, been ended by the treaty with Italy, every Roman Catholic country has been hoping that it will be among those favoured with a visit from the Pontiff.

The fact seems to be, however, that in spite of modern travel rapidity he will be unable to venture beyond the frontiers of Italy.

Unlikely to Travel.

I mentioned this question to a high [loss] while my father and I were waiting for a private audience with his Holiness, and he explained to me the reason that renders the prospect of Papal travel unlikely.

It would lead to difficulties between the great Catholic countries, first, owing to the order in which they were visited, and, secondly, because many could not be visited and would naturally be hurt at having been left out.

A few minutes later we heard that the Pope was ready to receive us, and during the audience that followed we touched on many subjects in this course of which this view appeared to be confirmed.

Great Enthusiasm.

We spoke first of the Vatican Treaty. The aspect that most pleased his Holiness was what he called the “local interest” with which it was regarded all over the world. He stressed the word “local" and repeated it many times.

“Telegrams,” he said, “have poured in from every quarter of the globe congratulating us upon the treaty.”

“The striking part of these messages is the impression they convey that the event is to them of the same interest as one that was a local happening.

“You would suppose from the enthusiasm of a telegram we received from within the arctic circle that the Vatican was situated near the North Pole. The same applies to telegrams received from Central Africa, the Antipodes, and all parts of the world.”

“Not So Sure.”

“Your Holiness will probably visit your old library at Milan now?” I asked. He had been librarian there for many years.

He smiled and said, “Since the treaty the world has been travelling us about everywhere, but we are not so sure.” And by his time he seemed to confirm the view that I had already heard expressed.

We left this subject and turned to pictures. My father mentioned to his Holiness. that the picture he had painted of him for the Bodleian Library at Oxford [6690] was now on exhibition in the Paris salon.

This raised many interesting topics for the Pope, who has worked at the Bodleian, and is at the same time a great art connoisseur, being, in fact, one of the three leading authorities on Leonardo da Vinci.

“We have many happy memories of Oxford,” he said. “We loved [loss] traditions and the atmosphere [loss] youth and happiness that blends [loss] and learning that hangs about the buildings. It is a very beautiful and wonderful town.”

In the Papal Library.

He smiled and put his hand on his capuletto as if thinking again of the days he had spent there; then looking up he pointed to a little sketch which my father had done of St. Peter's a few years ago, and which his Holiness had so much liked that he gave it to him.

It was behind us facing the Pope’s desk, and as I glanced round I had an opportunity of seeing that the room in which we were and where his Holiness works was, in fact, a library, and that weighed down as the occupant of the Papal throne must be with work, he yet found time to indulge in books among which he has spent so much of his life.

The Pope spoke slowly and in French, in which he is more at ease than in English. He has a subdued but firm voice which is kindly in the extreme. He chooses his words very carefully and accurately and his manner is perfectly natural.

Vatican Splendour.

He was dressed in the customary white from his capuletto to his shoes, and as he stood up to give us his ring to kiss on our departure, he showed himself to be a man of middle height on whom his 70 odd years sit very lightly.

One cannot fail but to be impressed by the pomp and splendour of the Vatican, and even more by the mighty tradition that the occupant of the Throne must sustain and which seems to pervade the great building. It is the fitting, perhaps the only, place where he can do so, and that may be another reason why he will not leave Italy and will probably never go beyond the boundaries of the Eternal City.

(Copyright in all countries by Anglo-American Newspaper Service.)

MD

24/08/2009