Busy Pontiff

Last week teemed with emotion, activity, for His Holiness, Pope Pius XI. First arrived at the Vatican three Mexican hierarchs. To them His Holiness spoke words, of comfort and hope, promised to give Mexico a rich ostensorium which he received at the recent beatification of the French Revolutionary martyrs (TIME, Oct. 25). Next, a magnificent procession wound its way through crowded streets--towards the Coliseum, ancient centre of Paganism. In its midst, borne aloft on the shoulders of the faithful, was a huge cross. Made of wood, it contains pieces of olive trees from Gethsemane. It had been blessed in the Basilica of the Holy Cross. On a base containing a stone from Mount Calvary, it was set up in the centre of the Coliseum.

Soon afterward, His Holiness married his niece, Louise Ratti, to Marquis Eduardo Persichetti, Secretary to the Nicaraguan legation to the Vatican, onetime Chamberlain of the Cape and Sword under Popes Benedict XV and the present Pius. Marriages officiated by the Pope are very rare. His Holiness presented the bride with four artistic bookcases, each containing 25 volumes, which he had selected himself, pertaining to the duties of a Christian wife and mother. After the nuptials, His Holiness delivered an address, in which he deplored modern laxity in customs and dress. The newly married pair and a few special guests were then invited to a family luncheon with His Holiness, at which the Pontiff sat at a separate table elevated above the rest of the party. The menu included galatine of pheasant, cakes with the papal colors, and Capri wine, both red and white, marsala, champagne and liqueurs.

Sunday, Oct. 31, marked a new date of world significance in the Roman Catholic calendar, for which His Holiness had made elaborate preparations. Last year His Holiness issued a most significant encyclical letter, establishing a new institution: The Feast of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, as King --to occur every year and in all the world on the last Sunday of October. Its purpose is to recapitulate the claim of Our Lord to reign over the minds, wills, hearts of men, claims too often neglected or forgotten, a sin which His Holiness states is responsible for "the deluge of evils" which has recently invaded the world. But the most discussed section of the encyclical (TIME, March 29) is that in which His Holiness calls upon Protestants to join with him in worship on this auspicious day. This invitation is the first of its character in history to be extended by a Pope. Protestant comment varied.