A notable difference exists between every kind of civil rule and that of the Kingdom of Christ.  If this latter bear a certain likeness and character to a civil kingdom, it is distinguished from it by its Origin, Principle, and Essence.  The Church, therefore, possesses the Right to exist and to protect herself by Institutions and Laws in accordance with her Nature.  And since she not only is a perfect society in herself,but Superior to every other society of  human growth, she resolutely refuses, prompted alike by Right and by Duty, to link herself to any mere party and to subject  herself to the fleeting exigencies of politics.  On like grounds the Church, the guardian always of her own Right and most observant of that of others, holds that it is not her province to decide which is the best amongst many diverse forms of Government and the civil institutions of Christian States, and amid the various kinds of State rule she does not disapprove of any, provided the respect due to Religion and the observance of good Morals be upheld.  By such standard of conduct should the thoughts and mode of acting of every Catholic be directed.   There is no doubt but that in the sphere of politics ample matter may exist for legitimate difference of opinion, and that, the single reserve being made of the Rights of Justice and Truth, all may strive to bring into actual working the ideas believed likely to be more conducive than others to the general welfare.  But to attempt to involve the Church in party strife, and seek to bring her support to bear against those who take opposite views, is only worthy of partisans.  Religion should, on the contrary, be accounted by every one as Holy and Inviolate; nay, in the public order itself of States--which cannot be severed from the Laws influencing Morals and from Religious Duties--it is always urgent, and indeed the main preoccupation, to take thought how best to consult the interests of Catholicism.  Wherever these appear by reason of the efforts of adversaries to be in danger, all differences of opinion among Catholics shuld forthwith cease, so that, like thoughts and Counsels prevailing, they may hasten to the aid of Religion, the general and supreme good, to which all else should be referred.  We think it well to treat this matter somewhat more in detail.
    The Church alike and the State, doubtless, both possess individual Sovereignty; hence, in the carrying out of public affairs, neither obeys the other within the limits to which each is restricted by its Constitution.  It does not hence follow, however, that Church and State are in any manner severed, and still less antagonistic.  Nature, in fact, has given us not only physical existence, but Moral life likewise.  Hence, from the tranquillity of public order, whose immediate purpose is civil society, man expects that this may be able to secure all his needful well-being, and still more supply the sheltering care which perfects his moral life, which consists in the knowledge and practice of the True Religion; of that Religion which is the Queen of Virtues, because in binding these to God it completes them all and perfects them.  Therefore they who are engaged in framing Constitutions and in enacting laws should bear in mind the Moral and Religious nature of man, and take care to help him, but in a right and orderly way, to gain perfection, neither enjoining nor forbidding anything save what is reasonably consistent with civil as well as with Religious requirements.  On this very account the Church cannot stand by, indifferent as to the import and significance of Laws enacted by the State; not in so far indeed as they refer to the State, but in so far as, passing beyond their due limits, they trench upon the rights of the Church.  From God has the duty been assigned to the Church not only to interpose resistance, if at any time the State rule should run counter to Religion, but, further, to make a strong endeavor that the Power of the Gospel may pervade the Laws and Institutions of the Nations.  And inasmuch as the destiny of the State depends mainly on the disposition of those who are at the head of affairs, it follows that the Church cannot give countenance or favor to those whom she knows to be imbued with a spirit of hostility to her; who refuse openly to respect her Rights; who make it their aim and purpose to tear asunder the alliance that should, by the very nature of things, connect the interests of Religion with those of the State.  On the contrary, she is (as she is bound to be) the upholder of those who are themselves imbued with the right way of thinking as to the relations between Church and State, and who strive to make them work in perfect accord for the common good.  These Precepts contain the abiding Principle by which every Catholic should shape his conduct in regard to public life.  In short, where the Church does not forbid taking part in public affairs, it is fit and proper to give support to men of acknowledged worth, and who pledge themselves to deserve well in the Catholic cause, and on no account may it be allowed to prefer to them any such individuals as are hostile to Religion.
    Whence it appears how urgent is the Duty to maintain perfect union of minds, especially at these our times, when the Christian name is assailed with designs so concerted and subtle.  All who have it at heart to attach themselves earnestly to the Church, which is the pillar and ground of the Truth, (1 tim. iii. 15.)  will easily steer clear of masters who are lying and promising them liberty, when they themselves are slaves of corruption. (2 Peter ii. 1, 19l)  Nay, more, having made themselves sharers in the Divine Virtue which resides in the Church, they will triumph over the craft of their adversaries by Wisdom, and over their violence by Courage.  This is not now the time and place to inquire whether and how far the inertness and internal dissensions of Catholics have contributed to the present condition of things; but it is certain at least that the perverse-minded would exhibit less boldness, and would not have brought about such an accumulation of ills, if the Faith which worketh by Charity (Gal. v. 6.)  had been greatly more energetic and lively in the souls of men, and had there not been so universal a drifting away from the divinely established Rule of Morality throughout Christianity.  May at least the lessons afforded by the memory of the past have the good result of leading to a wiser mode of acting in the future.
    As to those who mean to take part in public affairs they should avoid with the very utmost care two criminal excesses: so-called prudence and false courage.  Some there are, indeed, who maintain that it is not opportune boldly to attack evil-doing in its might and when in the ascendant, lest, as they say, opposition should exasperate minds already hostile.  Those make it a matter of guess-work as to whether they are for the Church or against her; since on the one hand they give themselves out as professing the Catholic Faith, and yet wish that the Church should allow certain opinions, at variance with her teaching, to be spread abroad with impunity.  They moan over the loss of Faith and the perversion of Morals, yet trouble themselves not to bring any remedy; nay, not seldom, even add to the intensity of the mischief through too much forbearance or harmful dissembling.  These same individuals would not  have any one entertain a doubt as to their good-will towards the Holy See; yet they  have always something by way of reproach against the Supreme Pontiff.  The prudence of men of this cast is of that kind which is termed by the Apostle Paul wisdom of the flesh and death of the soul, because it is not subject to the Law of God, neither can it be. (The wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither can it be.--Rom. viii. 6, 7.)  Nothing is less calculated to amend such ills than prudence of this kind.  For the enemies of the Church have for their object--and they hesitate not to proclaim it, and many among them boast of it--to destroy outright, if possible, the Catholic Religion, which is alone the True Religion.  With such a purpose in hand they shrink from nothing; for they are fully conscious that the more faint-hearted those who withstand them become, the more easy will it be to work out their wicked will.  Therefore they who cherish the prudence of the flesh and who pretend to be unaware that every Christian ought to be a valiant soldier of Christ; they who would fain obtain the rewards owing to conquerors, while they are leading the lives of cowards, untouched in the fight, are so far from thwarting the onward march of the evil-disposed that, on the contrary, they even help it forward.
    On the other hand, not a few, impelled by a false zeal, or--what is more blameworthy still--affecting sentiments which their conduct belies, take upon themselves to act a part which does not belong to them.  They would fain see the Church's mode of action influenced by their ideas and their judgment to such an extent that everything done otherwise they take ill or accept with repugnance.  Some, yet again, expend their energies in fruitless contention, being worthy of blame equally with the former.  To set in such manner is not to follow lawful Authority but to forestall it, and, unauthorized, assume the Duties of the Spiritual Rulers, to the great detriment of the Order which God established in His Church to be observed forever, and which He does not permit to be violated with impunity by any one, whoever he may be.
    Honor, then, to those who shrink not from entering the arena as often as need calls, believing and being convinced that the violence of injustice will be brought to an end and finally give way to the sanctity of right and Religion!  They truly seem invested with the dignity of time-honored Virtue, since they are struggling to defend Religion, and chiefly against the faction banded together to attack Christianity with extreme daring and without tiring, and to pursue with incessant hostility the Sovereign Pontiff, fallen into their Power. But men of this  high character maintain without wavering the love of obedience, nor are they wont to  undertake anything upon their own Authority.  Now, since a like resolve to obey, combined with constancy and sturdy courage, is needful, so that whatever trials the pressure of events may bring about, they may be deficient in nothing, (James i. 4.)  We greatly desire to fix deep on the minds of each one that which Paul calls the Wisdom of the Spirit, (Rom. viii. 6.)  for in controlling human actions this wisdom follows the excellent Rule of moderation, with the happy result that no one either timidly despairs through lack of courage or presumes over-much from want of prudence.  There is, however, a difference between the political prudence that relates to the general good and that which concerns the good of individuals.  This latter is shown forth in the case of private persons who obey the prompting of right reason in the direction of their own conduct; while the former is the characteristic of those who are set over others, and chiefly of Rulers of the State, whose Duty it is to exercise the power of command, so that the political prudence of private individuals would seem to consist wholly in carrying out faithfully the orders issued by Lawful Authority. (Prudence proceeds from reason, and to reason it specially pertains to guide and govern.  Whence it follows that insomuch as any one takes part in the control and government of affairs, in so far ought to be gifted with reason and prudence.  But it is evident that the subject, so far as subject, and the servant, so far as servant, ought neither to control nor govern, but rather to be controlled and governed.  Prudence, then, is not the special virtue of the servant, so as servant, nor of the subject, so far as subject.  But because any man, on account of his character of a reasonable being, may have some share in the government according to the degree which reason determines, it is fitting that in such proportion he should possess the virtue of prudence.  Whence it manifestly results that prudence exists in the Ruler, as it exists in the architect with regard to the building he has to contruct, just as is expressed in the sixth Book of Morals, and that it exists in the subject, as it exists in the workman employed in the construction."--St. Thomas, 2a 2ae, Q. ii. 2, 4, 7, art. 12.)
    The like disposition and the same order should prevail in every Christian State by so much the more that the political prudence of the Pontiff embraces diverse and multiform things; for it is his charge not only to Rule the Church, but generally so to regulate the actions of Christian citizens that these may be in apt conformity to their Hope of gaining Eternal Salvation.  Whence it is clear that in addition to the complete accordance of thought and deed, the Faithful should imitate the practical political wisdom of the Ecclessiastical Authority.  Now the Administration of Christian affairs immediately under the Roman Pontiff appertains to the Bishops, who, although they attain not to the summit of Pontifical Power, are nevertheless Truly Princes in the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy; and as each one of them administers a particular Church, they are "as master-workers . . . in the Spiritual Edifice," (St. Thomas, Quodib. 1, xiv.)  and they have members of the Clergy to share their Duties and carry out their decisions.  Every one has to regulate his mode of conduct according to this Constitution of the Church, which it is not in the Power of any man to change.  Consequently, just as in the exercise of their Episcopal Authority the Bishops ought to be united with the Apostolic See, so should the members of the Clergy and the laity live in close union with their Bishop.  Among the Prelates, indeed, one or other there may be affording scope to criticism either in regard to personal conduct or in reference to opinions by him entertained about points of Doctrine; but no private person may arrogate to himself the Office of Judge which Christ Our Lord has bestowed on that One Alone whom He placed in charge of His lambs and of His sheep.  Let every one bear in mind that most wise teaching of Gregory the Great: "Subjects should be admonished not rashly to judge their Prelates, even if they chance to see them acting in a blameworthy manner, lest reproving what is wrong, they be led by pride into greaer wrong.  They are to be warned against the danger of setting themselves  up in audacious opposition to the Superiors whose shortcomings they may notice.  Should, therefore, the Superiors really have committed grievous sins, their inferiors, penetrated with the fear of God, ought not to refuse them respectful submission.  The actions of Superiors should not be smitten by the sword of the word, even when they are rightly judged to have deserved censure." (Reg. Pastor. p. iii. cap. iv.)
    However, all endeavors will avail but little unless our life be regulated conformably with the Discipline of the Christian Virtues.  Let us call to mind what Holy Scripture records concerning the Jewish nation: As long as they sinned not in the sight of their God, it was well with them: for their God hateth iniquity.  And even . . . when they had revolted from the way that God had given them to walk therein, they were destroyed in battles by many Nations. (Judith v 21, 22.)  Now the Nation of the Jews bore an inchoate semblance to the Christian people, and the vicissitudes of their history in olden times have often foreshadowed the Truth that was to come, saving that God in His goodness has enriched and loaded us with far greater benefits, and on this account the sins of Christians are much greater, and bear the stamp of more shameful and criminal ingratitude.
    The Church, it is certain, at no time and in no particular is deserted by God; hence there is no reason why she should be alarmed at the wickedness of men; but in the case of Nations falling away from Christian Virtue there is not a like ground of assurance, for sin maketh nations miserable. (Prov. xiv. 34.)  If every bygone age has experienced the force of this Truth, wherefore should not our own?  There are in Truth very many Signs which proclaim that just punishments are already menacing, and the condition of modern States tends to confirm this belief, since we perceive many of them in sad plight from intestine disorders, and not one entirely exempt.  But should those leagued together in wickedness hurry onward in the road they have boldly chosen, should they increase in influence and power in proportion as they make headway in their evil purposes and crafty schemes, there will be ground to fear lest the very Foundations nature has laid for States to rest upon be utterly destroyed.  Nor can such misgivings be removed by any mere human effort, especially as a vast number of men, having rejected the Christian Faith, are on that account justly incurring the penalty of their pride, since blinded by their passions they search in vain for Truth, laying hold on the false for the true, and thinking themselves wise when they call evil good, and good evil, and put darkness in the place of light, and light in the place of darkness. (Isa. v. 20.)  It is therefore ncecssary that God come to the rescue, and that, mindful of His Mercy, He turn an eye of compassion on human society.  Hence, We renew the urgent entreaty We have already made, to redouble zeal and perseverance, when addressing humble supplications to our Merciful God, so that the Virtues whereby a Christian life is perfected may be reawakened.  It is, however, urgent before all, that Charity, which is the main Foundation of the Christian life, and apart from which the other Virtues exist not or remain barren, should be quickened and maintained.  Therefore is it that the Apostle St. Paul, after having exhorted the Colossians to flee all vice and cultivate all Virtue, adds: Above all things have Charity, which is the bond of perfection. (Coloss. iii. 14.)  Yea, truly, Charity is the bond of perfection, for it binds intimately to God those whom it has embraced and with loving tenderness, causes them to draw their life from God, to act with God, to refer all to God.  Howbeit the Love of God should not be severed from the love of our neighbor, since men have a share in the Infinite Goodness of God and bear in themselves the impress of His Image and Likeness.  This Commandment we have from God, that he who loveth God, love also his brother. (1 John iv. 21.)  If any man say I love God, and he hateth his brother, he is a liar. (Ibid. iv. 20.)  And this Commandment concerning Charity its Divine Proclaimer styled new, not in the sense that a previous Law, or even nature itself, had not enjoined that men should love one another, but because the Christian precept of loving each other in that manner was truly new, and quite  unheard of in the memory of man.  For that love with which Jesus Christ is beloved by His Father and with which He Himself loves men, He obtained for His Disciples and followers, that they might be of one heart and of one mind in Him by Charity, as He Hiimself and His Father are One by their Nature.  No one is unaware how deeply and from the very beginning that precept has been implanted in the breast of Christians, and what abundant fruits of concord, mutual benevolence, piety, patience, and fortitude it  has produced.  Why, then, should we not devote ourselves to imitate the examples set by our fathers?  The very times in which we live should afford sufficient motives for the practice of Charity.  Since impious men are bent on giving fresh impulse to their hatred against Jesus Christ, Christians should be quickened anew in Piety; and Charity, which is the inspirer of lofty deeds, should be imbued with new life.  Let dissensions therefore, if there be any, wholly cease; let those strifes which waste the strength of those engaged in the fight, without any advantage resulting to Religion, be scattered to the winds; let all minds be united in Faith and all hearts in Charity, so that, as it behooves, life may be spent in the practice of the love of God and the love of men.
    This is a suitable moment for us to exhort especially heads of families to govern their households according to these precepts, and to be solicitous without failing for the right training of their children.  The family may be regarded as the cradle of civil society, and it is in great measure within the circle of family life that the destiny of the State is fostered.  Whence it is that they who would break away from Christian discipline are working to corrupt family life, and to destroy it utterly, root and branch.  These hold from nature their right of training the children to whom they have given birth, with the obligation superadded of shaping and directing the education of their little ones to the end for which God vouchsafed the privilege of transmitting the gift of life.  It is then incumbent on parents to strain every nerve to ward off such an outrage, and to strive manfully to have and to hold exclusive Authority to direct the education of their offspring, as is fitting, in a Christian manner; and first and foremost to keep them away from schools where there is risk of their drinking in the poison of impiety.  Where the right education of youth is concerned, no amount of trouble or labor can be undertaken, how great soever, but that even greater still may not be called for.  In this regard indeed there are to be found in many countries Catholics worthy of general admiration, who incur considerable outlay and bestow much zeal in founding schools for the education of youth.  It is highly desirable that such noble example may be generously followed, where time and circumstances demand; yet all should be intimately persuaded that the minds of children are most influenced by the training they receive at home.  If in their early years they find within the walls of their homes the Rule of an upright life and the Discipline of Christian Virtues, the future welfare of the State will in great measure be guaranteed.
    And now We seem to have touched upon those matters which Catholics ought chiefly nowadays to follow, or mainly to avoid.  It rests with you, Venerable Brothers, to take measures that Our Voice may reach everywhere, and that one and all may understand how urgent it is to reduce to practice the Teachings set forth in this Our Letter. The observance of these duties cannot be troublesome or onerous, for the yoke of Jesus Christ is sweet, and His burden is light. If anything, however, appears too difficult of accomplishment, you will afford aid by the Authority of your example, so that each one of the faithful may make more strenuous endeavor, and display a soul unconquered by difficulties.  Bring it home to their minds, as We have ourselves oftentimes conveyed the warning, that matters of the highest moment and worthy of all honor are at stake, for the safeguarding of which every most toilsome effort should be readily endured; and that a sublime reward is in store for the labors of a Christian life.  On the other hand, to refrain from doing battle for Jesus Christ, amounts to fighting against him; He Himself assures us He will deny before His Father in Heaven, those who shall have refused to confess Him on earth. (Luke ix. 26.) As for Ourselves and you all, never assuredly, so long as life lasts, shall We allow Our Authority, Our counsels, and Our solicitude to be in any wise lacking in the conflict.  Nor is it to be doubted but that especial aid of the great God will be vouchsafed, so long as the struggle endures, to the Pastors and to the flock alike.
    Sustained by this confidence, as a pledge of Heavenly Gifts, and of Our loving-kindness in the Lord to you, Venerable Brothers, to your Clergy and to all your people, We accord the Apostolic Benediction.

                                                                                                      POPE LEO XIII

    As Peter was given a new name so does the new Supreme Pontiff become known by another.  After the election he extends his first blessing to the people -- a Benediction which was not given in the open for years until Pope Pius XI established the custom.
    The Coronation, one of the most magnificent of Vatican Ceremonies, takes place shortly after the election.  With the Pope carried high in a golden chair and attended by brilliantly attired chamberlains and soldiers, the Coronation Mass is an unrivaled spectacle of beauty, dignity, and ancient pageantry.  At the Coronation, in the midst of the pomp and splendor, a master of ceremonies recites in Latin: "Holy Father, thus does the glory of the world pass away."  As the first Cardinal Deacon places the three-crowned Tiara on the head of the Pope, he says: "Receive the three-crowned Tiara, and know that thou art the Father of Princes and Kings, the Pastor of the earth, and Vicar of Jesus Christ, to Whom be honor and glory forever.  Amen."
    The CORONATION of Pope Pius XII took place on the balcony of St. Peter's in March, 1939.  (From the book "The Vatican and Holy Year" by Stephen S. Fenichell & Phillip Andrews.-- 1950 edition.)

    (Tradition is an equal part [along with the Bible] of the Authoritative Teaching of the Church -- From the book "The Immaculate Way" by Brian Farrely, S.S.M. -- 1963 edition.)

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