" Let us implore divine pity and clemency that the tempest which has hurled humanity into misery may be tranquillized, that the sky may be cleared and the dawn of peace, so eagerly longed for, may return." This latest plea for peace was made by Pope Pius XII in a speech to the officials and staff of the Sacred Tribunal of the Rota, to whom he granted an audience on the inauguration of the tribunal's juridical year.
The Dean of the Rota, Mgr. Giulio Grazioli, delivered the address of the tribunal, recalling that in the last year 65 marriage cases were discussed, decree of nullity being entered in only 16.
The Pope remarked upon the noble functions of the Rota, which, he said, reflect the truth, justice and mercy of God and His Church. Since marriage cases predominate in the Rota, the Pontiff said, the Rota has the glory of being the tribunal of the Christian family, safeguarding its sanctity.
Referring, then, to the war, the Pontiff said: "Let our thoughts and hearts return to the source of our sorrow in contemplation of sons armed and fighting one against the other, almost as though they were not brothers of one faith and one hope. History will judge this sanguinary and destructive struggle, but the thoughts and judgments of man are not those of God.: