Vatican Reported Incensed at Lavish Welcome for Hitler

Rising wrath in the Vatican over the lavish display for Chancellor Hitler was reported from Rome today by the special correspondent of the conservative Figaro. In his telephoned dispatch the correspondent said that the irritation of the Holy See was expressing itself in a series of studied snubs to Premier Mussolini’s guest.

“Discontent is growing every day in Rome ecclesiastical circles,” he reported. “The Hitlerian parade is exasperating Catholic sensibilities. The deluge of swastikas, symbols of the neopaganism solemnly condemned by Papal encyclical, is stressed as a source of annoyance. The arrogant attitude of Hitler in ignoring the Pope with affected emphasis has filled the cup of exasperation to overflowing. The Vatican could not but react. The Holy Father has already complained bitterly. Now all religious establishments have been forbidden to fly the swastika flag.

“The Nuncio to the Quirinal, dean of the diplomatic corps, will not attend the reception in honor of the Fuehrer. The departure of the Pontiff for Castel Gandolfo on the eve of Hitler’s arrival–though long scheduled for the beginning of May–also assumed the character of a protest. The Osservatore Romano, (Vatican organ), which has not printed a single line on Hitler’s trip, did say: ‘ The sovereign Pontiff cannot stand the air in Rome these days.'”

The paper used an Italian expression, the correspondent said, which literally breathes anger and suspicion. “The pontifical protests cannot but increase,” he concluded. “It is possible that the Holy Father will give them an official and ecumenic character, either by a diplomatic note or an open letter to the Cardinal Secretary of State in an official speech.”