Paying Off The Pope!
"Washington — (UP) — The House has passed and sent to the Senate a bill to repay Pope Pius XII $964,199 for World War II bombing damage to the Vatican's Castle Candolfo, the Pope's summer residence.
"The measure was approved yesterday by voice vote.
"The castle was damaged accidentally by bombs from U. S. Planes on four different occasions during the American drive to clear German troops from Italy in 1944. The bombers were aiming at nearby military targets."
The above is taken from the State Times, June 6, 1956, of Jackson, Mississippi. It was a small write-up that would be easily overlooked. It was treated as an insignificant thing less it arouse too much attention. The matter is far from insignificant and indicates the trend of affairs n America. Read that clipping again!
Just why should America "repay Pope Pius XII $964,188" for damage accidentally done to his summer residence?) Our government feels no such obligation to anyone else! We are not to blame that his summer residence is located in a country which was under attack. During the war our country went to great ends to spare the Vatican City and the Pope's summer residence during the bombings. There is no way to know how much money was spent or how many lives were sacrificed in order to accomplish this. Why? The power and control of Catholicism in America is far greater than complacent Americans realize. Will the House be interested in repaying the damage done to the residences of other religious groups? Certainly not.
Incidentally, that must be some castle if it takes $964,199 just to repay the damages! And remember we are paying the bill!