Ultimate Accord

Across his breast was the sash of the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus; he wore too the Cross of Malta and Collar of the Annunziata, which gives its wearer the right to call Italy's King "cousin." Arrayed in such dignity but brusque as ever, Benito Mussolini last week strode up the marble stairway that leads to the damasked Hall of Congregations in the Vatican.* In his pocket was a Bank of Italy check for 750 million lire ($39,225,000) and a certificate for one billion lire ($52,300,000) of Italian State bonds. In the Hall of Congregations, standing beneath an exquisite ivory crucifix, Pietro Cardinal Gasparri, hands folded, waited to receive money and bonds and exchange formally with Signer Mussolini the State-&-Church reconciliation treaty signed by them both last February (TIME, Feb. 18). After a brief, courteous exchange of duplicate texts of the treaty, last of diplomatic formalities, the Papal State, recognized by Italy, became an independent state, like Liechtenstein and Monaco.

Announcements were then made that Count Cesare Maria de Vecchi di Val Cismon, "old guard" Fascist, was appointed Italy's Ambassador to Vatican City.

As final proof of his new sovereignty the Pope left the Vatican building, drove in his Fiat down the street that skirts the Vatican Museum to the Vatican Gardens, but did not cross his state's boundary.

Thus last week Italy and the Papal State became independent friendly nations. In matters of religion it seemed, however, that they were at odds. Last week the Pope branded as heretical utterances of Italy's Prime Minister (see p. 57).

* Wherein are slant vases, many-hued.