Ruins and Reconstruction

The Nazis' 6 p.m. curfew on Rome forced Pope Pius XII to omit his customary midnight Mass, substitute a private Mass at 5 p.m.

But the Nazis did not shut down Radio Vaticana. Speaking in Italian, from the modern station on the highest terrace of the Vatican Hill, Pius XII addressed a 39-minute Christmas message to the world.

The Pope observed that mankind had lost its way to the manger of Bethlehem, expressed the hope that the way might be found again before another Christmas comes. He said: "Ruins all over the world are increasing. Humanity is suffering and we all see this conflict degenerating into something more and more terrible. Reason and spirit seem to be darkened throughout the world. Christ only can deliver humanity. . . . To work, dearest brothers, do not stand idle. Let us start the reconstruction of the world."

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