IV

Gentlemen, if I judge the prospects for the future from the past, and especially if I consider the generosity and kindness of the good-hearted, I have no doubt whatsoever that such a gigantic effort will yield positive results.

Gentlemen, I repeat that the needs are so great and so urgent that, notwithstanding my weakness, I have become a pilgrim throughout Italy and have had to seek the cooperation of good people, a cooperation that will be forthcoming if asked for in the name of religion and motherland.

So, to all of Italy I reiterate the appeal I made on other occasions, and not in vain. The challenge of thought and action I lay before the Italian clergy and laity is great, noble, untried, and has room for the widow’s mite as well as for the rich man’s donation, for the humble activity of the quiet people as well as for the generous passion of the most ardent people.

For love of our distant countrymen we must strive to forge closer and closer bonds of fraternal solidarity with them, a solidarity that makes the weak strong and the strong invincible!

Gentlemen, it is our duty as Catholics and as Italians to see to it that our brothers and sisters across the ocean will all share the same strength, the same enthusiasm, the same mind.

Not too many years ago, incredible efforts were made to “Americanize,” if I may use this word, our emigrant brothers and sisters from Europe. Religion and country have shed tears over the loss of their children. Religion and country have both lost millions of their children to whom they had given civil and religious life.

Only one group of people stood up to these efforts, because these people had the backing and support of the mother country and were able to hold high the banner with its motto: “One Religion, One Language, One Country.”

RELIGION AND COUNTRY: These two supreme aspirations of every noble soul are intertwined. They complement each other in this labor of love and redemption, namely, the protection of the defenseless. They unite in a wonderful symphony. The miserable barriers created by hatred and resentment will disappear; arms will open out in a fraternal embrace; hands will shake in a warm sign of love; lips will open to smile and kiss; and, once all class and party discrimination will have been eliminated, we will see in all its Christian splendor the meaning of the aphorism: homo homini frater (man is a brother to man).

I trust these words of mine will be the inspiration for noble works to the glory of God and his Church, for the good of souls, the honor of our country, and the welfare of the poor and the unfortunate.

RELIGION AND COUNTRY: These two supreme loves of our forefathers, these two powerful aspirations of every soul, these two cords that vibrate in unison in the depths of every noble heart, are intertwined and reinforce each other in this labor of love — the protection of the defenseless; like twin daughters of the same father they embrace and help each other. These two aspirations make the life of our dear ones beautiful and holy and stimulate the strong-hearted to noble works!

RELIGION AND COUNTRY: Our faces are raised high and serene, our mouths are illuminated with a smile, and the sun of true freedom shines brighter on our horizon.

RELIGION AND COUNTRY: In the shadow of this banner resentments will vanish and divisions disappear, there will be handshakes of peace, families will be at peace, nations will prosper and flourish.

I hear the nations rise up together to sing a common hymn, a hymn echoed in the heavens. It is the hymn ever old, ever new, of our immortal Poet:

“All made in the image of the One,”

All children of a unique redemption;

Wherever and whenever on the earth

We inhale the breath of one life:

Brothers we are!”

May Italy, sincerely reconciled with the Holy See, emulate its ancient glories and add another imperishable glory, that of having set her distant sons and daughters on the bright path of civilization and progress.

To all the good people who have shared in this work of redemption I have been talking about, to those who will join in the future, to my priests around the world who are suffering struggling and praying, to you, ladies and gentlemen, who have honored me today by your presence, I say thanks from the bottom of my heart in the name of our faith and of our far-off brothers and sisters. God bless you and may you prosper!

To God Alone Be the Honor and the Glory.