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LETTER TO

PAOLO CARDINAL MARELLA

ON NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR

This year a world exhibition will be opened in New
York to celebrate the third centenary of that most flourish-

ing and illustrious city of the United States of America. No

doubt happy results will match the lively anticipation of

this event since every care and attention was given ardently,

sustained by a common effort, so that all nations of the

world could vie with one another—a spectacle truly worthy
of admiration—in showing the research, the discoveries
and achievements of science, of the arts and of technology

in which each nation distinguishes itself according to the

capacities of the best minds which they have.

Such a noble undertaking deserves our full approval.

For in fact by its very nature it seeks to bring an oppor-

tunity in which all nations, setting aside rivalries, aggres-

sive attitudes and suspicions, will work in noble competition

toward the construction and diffusion of all that adds to the

POPE PAUL VI

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advantages, to the ease and to the beneficial tranquillity of

social life.

Because of our apostolic ministry it is true that we
greatly esteem means which defend and strengthen the

common good. But we all the more cordially approve of them
when religion—there is nothing more worthy of venera-
tion and more salutory—places a regal crown, as it were,
on the conquests of man and on his most outstanding
activities. And this is precisely what is taking place in the

present circumstances.

In fact, an unusual element is being added to the

grandiose exhibition, an element which, while unusual and

new, has been completed with happy results so far and with

radiant hope—that is to say the exhibition of the activities
in which the Church is engaged.

The Vatican Pavilion, built with great skill and mas-

tery, will offer to visitors’ eyes the life of Christ, illustrated

by splendid works of art; the manifold means used in

teaching the doctrine of the Church; the undertakings and

cares of its many forms of charity; its sanctifying efficacy,

spread over the whole earth; every form of vessel and

vestment destined for divine worship, and many aspects

worthy of being known.

In addition it will be possible to admire there, placed

with great prominence, the statue of the Virgin of the

Pieta, supporting the dead Christ on her knees. With this

piece of sculpture, Michelangelo, who easily surpassed every

other artist, surpassed himself, when with sublime art as a

sculptor and no less with religious devotion inspired in him

from on high, he sculpted the figure of the Madonna which

no one of sensitive feelings can admire without being

deeply moved.

By its extraordinary presence, may this marble statue,

which confers so much splendor on the Vatican basilica

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and which has been transported for a short while beyond

the immense expanses of the ocean, attract to itself glances

full of admiration from a great number of people and pro-

duce in their hearts a lively and deep impression which may

then remain permanently carved on their memories. May

it attract them from the visible to invisible realities, and in

a mysterious language, made rather of silence, speak to

them of the Christian Faith, the mother of heroism, the

nourisher of virtues and the generous sower of joy and

beauty.

Accordingly and so that the opening of the Vatican

Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair should have greater
solemnity, we have decided to send as our representative a

member of the Sacred College of Cardinals. And after

carefully considering the matter, we elect and appoint you,

beloved son, so that you may preside in our name at the
opening ceremonies and, as official interpreter of our

thoughts, address to those present words of praise, satis-

faction and encouragement.

Therefore, after invoking the name and help of the

Lord, you will praise the magnificent organization and wish

it a fruitful, splendid and lasting harvest of outstanding re-

sults. And since you are provided with eminent gifts of

intelligence, erudition and great culture, we do not doubt

that you will be able to bring to a successful conclusion this

office of honor which is being entrusted to you.

For this purpose, so that the good wishes and hopes

which you are to extend may be fulfilled, we impart to
you the apostolic blessing to draw upon you the heavenly

help of the Lord, and through you we extend it particularly

to most beloved Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of

New York, to all those who will attend the solemn opening,
to the religious and civil authorities, to the judiciary and to

all the faithful.

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Translation provided by N.C.W.C. News Service

1964

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