The Pope will speak to Thousands in Square
CATHOLICS in this country will this Easter Sunday be able to receive by B.B.C. Television the Holy Father's Blessing to be given " to the City and the World " from the balcony of St. Peter's, Rome.
Arrangements are that scenes in the great square in front of the Basilica are to be televised by the Italian TV service, and transmitted by Eurovision to other countries in Europe, Britain included, from 11.55 to 12.20. Televiewers do actually receive the papal blessing, given on occasions, when such as this, the Pope appears on the screen.
The great gathering expected in Rome on Sunday typifies the joy of the Church throughout the world at the Easter Triumph of Our Lord, it crowns too the great ceremonies that since Palm Sunday have drawn millions of Catholics to cathedrals and chapels throughout the world, ceremonies which—thanks to the same great Pontiff who this Sunday, as on previous Easters, blesses his numerous children everywhere—have been given new life and meaning through his wise enactments of the last few years.
Though 81 years of age. Pope, Pius XII continues to live a vigor' ous life and cheerfully and readily accedes to requests to' appear among those who flock to Rome to greet him. In a happy picture published alongside he is seen walking among some of the 30,000 Italian farmers who were granted an audience following on their annual congress held in the Holy City.
The Holy Father's Holy Week began with a presentation made to him of the traditional "Palm of Popes". a thin yellow-green reed as richly decorated as a medieval tapestry, and grown on the farm of a family who have provided the papal palm since one of their forebearers obtained the privilege four centuries ago.
The Pope received the Palm, encrusted with paintings of the Madonna of Divine Lose and the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). from the hands of a nun of the Rome convent which decorates the Palm each year.
It was groan on the farm of a family named Bresca in San Remo, where 370 other papal Palms have been raised since 1586.
On Radio and TV
AREMARKABLY intensive coverage of Easter ceremonies by both radio and television in Rome has been arranged for listeners and viewers in Italy and all three of the major ceremonies
) of Easter—the Pont ca g
Mass he Basilica of S. int Peter. The open air Mass in the Michelangelo Square in front of the great Church. and the Papal Blessing from the balcony—v. all be either televised or broadcasi by radio.
The Pontifical High Mass is to he sung this sear by Cardinal Tedeschini, Archpriest of St. Peters, if his health permits.
The outdoor Mass, annually attended by thousands of pilgrims who jam the huge square. will be celebrated by Mgr. Luigi Traglia, Vice Administrator of the Diocese of Rome. and televised in Italy. ifi I Hi
In England
AND here in Britain, the fine
weather that ushered in Holy Week. made possible the blessing outdoors of the palms at many a parish. the ceremony being performed in parks. adjoining church grounds, in schools and halls. At the Procession into the church on which the new rite places emphasis, suitable hymns were sung in English.
A. non-Catholic. ak ceremony. held in the afternoon of Sunday in a park close to the Borough Church, South London, asked to be instructed.
At Aylesford, Kent. the famous Marian Shrine in charge of the Carmelites, the blessing of palms was performed in the • ancient quadrangle according to the ancient rite of the Friars.