A Go/ero for Wyszynski

In a consistory lasting only four minutes and 35 seconds--the shortest of his reign--Pope Pius XII last week conferred the galero (the cardinal's red hat) on Poland's primate, Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski (TIME, May 20). Reason for the brevity was that the protocol of a longer ceremony would have required the presence of Poland's accredited envoy at the Holy See, who represents not the present Communist regime but the World War II, right-wing government in exile, still hanging on in London. This would have embarrassed Wyszynski in his dealings with the Communist government of Wladyslaw Gomulka. But insiders who know the importance of ceremonial minutiae at the Vatican could see tacit support of the exiles for the cardinal in the presence of their spiritual adviser, Archbishop Josef Gawlina, Ordinary to the Poles-in-exile.

Another delicate sign to Vaticanists: before Wyszynski, having kissed the Pope's foot, could complete the customary obeisance of kissing his knee and hand, the Pope raised him from the floor and warmly embraced him.

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