The Pope and the King

Signs Publishing Co. · Melbourne, Victoria · Jun 28, 1920

FromAustraliasian Signs of the Times, Vol. 35, No. 26.

The Pope and the King

Ever since the Pope was deprived of his temporal rule in Italy, each succeeding Pope has considered himself a prisoner within the Vatican, and each succeeding Pope has also made it plain to the nations and peoples that the Papacy had been illegally deprived of its authority over temporalities. It has also been a standing rule that no Catholic prince could visit the King of Italy. There has been a decided lack of neighbourliness and amity between the actual sovereign of Italy and the one who considers himself the sovereign of at least a portion of Italy. But now, for some reason which does not appear on the surface, a disposition is being manifest on the part of the Vatican to cease its unfriendly attitude toward the Italian King. A press report from London reads:—

It is reported from Rome that the Pope has issued an encyclical in which he recommends reconciliation between the spiritual and temporal powers in Italy.

Catholic princes are now permitted to visit the King of Italy without incurring the opprobrium of the Church.

According to a despatch from Rome received by the New York Times, the Catholic monarchs, King Alfonso of Spain and King Albert of Belgium, suggested to the Pope the lifting of the ban on visits by Catholic sovereigns to the Italian King. The despatch also indicates that Italian senators are urging parliamentary action toward reconciliation between the Holy See and the Italian State.

A further cable in the press of June 15 reads thus:—

The issue of a Papal encyclical, permitting Catholic Sovereigns to visit Rome, is the outcome of the Vatican's new policy of participating in Italian politics, which will enable Italy to enter into closer relations with other Catholic countries. The Vatican's pro-Italian policy has angered the Jugo-Slavs. It is believed that the King of Spain will shortly visit Rome.

If this reconciliation takes place, and Rome recedes from a position which she has held steadfastly to since 1871, we wonder what becomes of the boast that “Rome never changes.” We may rest assured also that if Rome alters her attitude in this matter, she does it in the belief that she can more easily and surely accomplish her purpose by that means than by holding to her former policy. It is written in her purpose to rule over the kings of the earth. When she abandons that purpose, she will cease to be Rome.