On Monday the expected agreement between the Pope and the
King of Italy was signed on their behalf. The years since 1870 are but as yesterday in the history • of the Papacy' and of the Eternal City, but the event is a great one in our generation. Catholics and Protestants • alike may hope that it will bring blessings to the Christian world. The Papal State will be territorially as small as could be, and few will now .think that a wider territory could add to spiritual authority. The hostility of the Italian Government to' the Organization of religion at its doors has long been unreal, and now the pretence is swept away, to the advantage of all concerned. It is long since the Pope could complain that he suffered from any serious -claims of the Civil Power ts• regard Min as subject, but Catholics will noiv, be relieved at the Vicar of Christ being recognized as their 'Sovereign Pontiff, and definitely the subject of no earthly power. The Government will _provide 750,000,000. lire at once, and raise by loan a further 1,000,000,000 lire to be paid to the Church in recognition of the indemnity for the absorption of the Papal States and the " Patrimony of St. Peter " which was settled by the Law of Guarantees, but never accepted,_ by the. Popes.. A concordat was attached to the agreement, by which, among other things, the Church has Sectied the Civil Power's acknowledg- ment of marriage as a Sacrament, and compulsory religious education. We do not share any fears that Pius XL, has " swallowed Fascism," or put the Vatican under- obligations ObligatiOnk for .which Signor MusSolini will exact subser vience. The lgonarch and the Government gain immensely by Papal recognition. This H ill be yealiZed, in France. : * * - -
