ITALY: Edda Off

“Your father’s health and mine are much discussed nowadays,” said Pope, Pius XI last week to Edda, Countess Ciano (née Mussolini).

“News springs up from everywhere explaining his and my grave diseases,” continued His Holiness. “Indeed yesterday I was reported dying of a heart attack. But God’s goodness has protected us both.”

After more of such informal chat* Count & Countess Ciano received personally the Apostolic Benediction, plus a special blessing for the Dictator, his wife, their sons (three) and baby daughter.

Next day Daughter Edda sailed for Shanghai, where her husband will serve as Italian Consul General.

Three days later Il Duce made handsome return for what he and his had received. He announced for promulgation by the Cabinet next month a decree abolishing the celebration of Sept. 20 as a National Holiday.

On that date, 60 years ago, Italian troops entered Papal Rome, surrounded the Vatican, ended the temporal power of the Pontiff. Lest Italians lose a holiday the Cabinet will decree that instead of Sept. 20 they shall hereafter celebrate Feb. 11. On that date, 19 months ago, Il Duce restored the temporal power of the Papacy by signing the Lateran Treaties which established the Papal State (TIME, Feb. 18, 1929).

*Source of the Papal quotation: Prince Pignatelli, close friend of the Mussolini family, Hearst correspondent.