Thank you for posting these wonderful photos of Pius XII.
I grew up with him and was 16 when he died. Of course it was a vastly different time, but I don't remember that anybody felt unduly sad at that announcement. I'm sure the nuns had us say a prayer for him, but there was no sense that there had been a real relationship to be had with him; one that had been lost.
Part of the problem was that all of the photos published of him back them were very austere and formal, as was the custom for governmental leaders also. Popes and Presidents and Potentates all appeared to be like statues in the newspapers and magazines. They bore no more personal significance than photos of Charlemagne, Louis XIV, George Washington or Kaiser Wilhelm.
With modern communications, especially the internet, we are blessed, if we choose to be, with daily images and reports on the activities of the current Popes. Generally more than we have time for.
But I know that he is the head of my Church and I have a better sense of what he is doing and saying. That was not the case 50+ years ago.
I disagree with the comment that no felt that they had lost someone special at the death of Pius XII. I was ten years old and it was a cold wet October morning. Even aged 10 one felt that something very grave has happened. The newspaper headline said it all p "With his death a great light has gone out on earth, but a new star shines in the heavens".
Such wonderful news, Deo Gratias
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting these wonderful photos of Pius XII.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with him and was 16 when he died. Of course it was a vastly different time, but I don't remember that anybody felt unduly sad at that announcement. I'm sure the nuns had us say a prayer for him, but there was no sense that there had been a real relationship to be had with him; one that had been lost.
Part of the problem was that all of the photos published of him back them were very austere and formal, as was the custom for governmental leaders also. Popes and Presidents and Potentates all appeared to be like statues in the newspapers and magazines. They bore no more personal significance than photos of Charlemagne, Louis XIV, George Washington or Kaiser Wilhelm.
With modern communications, especially the internet, we are blessed, if we choose to be, with daily images and reports on the activities of the current Popes. Generally more than we have time for.
But I know that he is the head of my Church and I have a better sense of what he is doing and saying. That was not the case 50+ years ago.
Thanks again.
Nice pictures. He was not a grave man! He was a friendly man.
ReplyDeleteThose are great photos of Pius XII. Excellent reference for another portrait drawing.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the comment that no felt that they had lost someone special at the death of Pius XII. I was ten years old and it was a cold wet October morning. Even aged 10 one felt that something very grave has happened.
ReplyDeleteThe newspaper headline said it all p "With his death a great light has gone out on earth, but a new star shines in the heavens".
(Jimmy Ingram