AN HISTORIC YEAR AHEAD

IN a world in fear of the fall-out from Khrushchev's mightiest bomb, official delegations from 82 nations are in Rome this weekend to celebrate the third anniversary of Pope John's coronation and the 80th anniversary of his birth.
And tomorrow they will join the Cardinals, diplomats and major prelates from all points of the five continents at the Solemn Mass to be offered in St. Peter's in the Holy Father's presence, when Pope John will deliver a birthday message in Latin.
Tomorrow, the fourth year of the Holy Father's reign opens officially—a year which may see the start of the Second Vatican Council, a consistory for the nomination of still more Cardinals, the climax of the Berlin crisis, and more intense persecution of the Church behind the Curtain and in Cuba.
Council
The international situation has a bearing on the date of the Council — which could hardly open with a world crisis at boiling point.
The Pope's birthday falls on November 25, but its observance has been advanced to coincide with the coronation anniversary. In Rome for the main celebrations tomorrow will be the Prime Ministcrs of Austria, Brazil, Ireland and Italy; Cabinet Ministers from Portugal and Finland; former presidents of Lebanon and Switzerland; and the President of the Belgian Senate.
Government delegations will include one from India, and one led by the West German Foreign Minister.
Seven of the delegations will come from countries which at present have no diplomatic relations with the Holy See—Congo. Iraq, Ivory Coast, Korea, Kuwait, Malagasy Republic, and Switzerland.
Timetable
Here is the timetable of events in Rome:
TODAY (Friday): Pope John will offer Mass for the Catholic laity at 9 a.m., and will then receive the Cardinals in special audience at 11 a.m. At midday he will receive diplomats accredited to the Holy See, and after lunch some representatives of Italian Catholic 'Youth.
TOMORROW (Saturday): Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Pope's presence, celebrated in St. Peter's by the first Cardinal he created, Cardinal Montini, Archbishop of Milan. Pope John will deliver a Latin address.
At noon he will hold a special audience for all the delegations to the celebrations. Then, at 12.30 p.m.. he will go to his window to