-2- It is Our constant prayer and sincere hope that Almighty God may hasten the day when man and nations now at war will enjoy the blessings of a true ad enduring peace--a peace in which We confidently foresee embodied those fundamental Christian principles, whose application alone can assure the victory of love over hate, right over might, justice over egoism, and in which the search for eternal values will pervail over the quest for merely temporal goods. Meanwhile, We find Ourselves, however face to face with all the forces at our disposal, to bring material and spiritual comfort to countless thousands who are numbered amongst the innocent and helpless victims. We should like, on this occasion, to express to Your Excellency Our codial appreciation of the magnificent assistance which the American People have given, and continue to offer, in this mission of mercy. They are, indeed, demonstrating once again a charitable understanding of the needs of their suffering fellowmen and a noble desire to alleviate their misery. In reassuring to you of Our ceaseless and untiring efforts in the cause of peace, We renew to your Excellency the expression of Our heartfelt good wishes, with a fervent prayer for the personal welfare of your Excellency for the prosperity of the cherished people of the United Sta From the Vatican, September 20th, 1941 Pius PP XII |