PAPAL STATE: Frisky Beast; Body Love

Frisky Beast; Body Love

What a large, frisky horse did for Prime Minister Benito Mussolini last week was done for Pope Pius XI by many-muscled Bernarr Macfadden, hirsute U. S. publisher of body-love tabloids, magazines, books.

Soon after dawn in the huge walled park behind his Villa Torlonia, Il Diice appeared with the frisky horse. A delegation of Italian editors watched respectfully, noted their host’s shiny black boots, tan breeches, tight black jacket, high wing collar, derby hat.

The steed snorted. Vaulting astride, Horseman Mussolini raced at a gallop twice around his private dirt track, then charged a row of brush hurdles, soared cleanly over all. At last spurring back toward the editors, he swung off his still cantering horse cowboy fashion, lit without losing his balance in a cloud of dust, bowed dramatically.

“I authorize you now,” cried leaping Benito, “to confirm the rumors that Mussolini is ill!”

Naturally Pope Pius XI in again refuting rumors that he is ill (TIME, Sept. 22) did not behave last week in a fashion so undignified. Enthroned in his audience chamber the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church solemnly received Bernarr Macfadden.

“I congratulate you,” said His Holiness, “on your training in physical perfection. I wish you, Mr. Macfadden, every success in connection with the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection.”* Extracting from his pocket the well-known photograph of himself, wife and seven children (five girls, two boys), posed to emphasize their bursting health. Publisher Macfadden showed it to the Holy Father, who evinced polite interest. As he left the Vatican, Body-Lover Macfadden cried: “The Pope will live for many years!”

*At American Child Health Association headquarters last week startled officials said that Mr. Macfadden was not a member of their Committee. At his office triumphant secretaries stated that he is, flourished a letter of appointment signed by Secretary of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur.