EDITORIAL
from issue no. 09 - 2008
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Long live the Pope
I think it of great significance that on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Pius XII, in addition to the appropriate official celebrations, there small floral tributes were brought anonymously to his statue overlooking the Basilica of San Lorenzo, in the place where the Pope went, to everyone’s surprise, in July 1943, shortly after the tragic and unexpected bombing
Giulio Andreotti
The statue of Pius XII in the courtyard in front of the Basilica San Lorenzo Outside the Walls
Another event of great importance, which should be remembered, was the imposing crowd manifesting in St. Peter’s Square on the day of the liberation of Rome. It was a grateful recognition of the courage and steadfastness of the only fixed point in a context that had seen the flight of the powerful and the despair of the people. Among the grateful crowd manifesting were some thousand men and women (especially Jews) who had been saved from the persecution of the occupying forces only through the hospitality bravely offered by monasteries, convents and churches.
We must not give too much importance to the voices – though painful – disagreeing with that chorus of gratitude. There are those who have not forgiven Pius XII the firmness with which he stood against Communism, which threatened to take foot in Rome under the banner of anti-fascism, of which it – wrongly – claimed the monopoly.
I do not need to collect evidence or to consult books on that very tormented period. The difficulties of communication had forced the suspension of the ad limina visits that the bishops of all the world make to the Holy Father; thus, having more time, the audiences that he granted me were long and went into significant depth.
The persistence of the conflict anguished him and I thought that he was pleased with the mention I made of his warning – unfortunately not heeded – of the disaster that the war would entail, without the alternative of any positive possibility.
It is certainly not out of any exaggerated local patriotism that I add a reason for veneration for this Pope: his being, even in terms of family, Roman.
Behind the house in Via dei Prefetti, where I was born and lived for sixteen years, there was the apartment of the family of Signor Rossignani who was married to Elisabetta Pacelli. When the authoritative Monsignor came to visit them, it was also a celebration for us, for we shared in the gift of chocolate generously distributed.
I would never have imagined that I would one day find myself alongside these old acquaintances as a plaintiff in court to counter foolish attacks made on the memory of the Pope.
The time the Church requires to raise a person to the altars is wisely long and phased. Perhaps – forgive me – to avoid erroneous deductions – it would be right to adopt for the popes a fitting waiting period before beginning the process. I am nevertheless certain that Pope Pacelli will not lack this earthly recognition. I add that I would be very happy if I could be there.
