VATICAN II AND THE COLD WAR 37favor, and accept negotiations, at all levels and at all times, is a
rule of wisdom and prudence which calls down the blessings of
heaven and earth.”
An account of his address appeared the next day on the front
page of the New York Times, right under a picture of U.S. Ambas-
sador to the United Nations Adlai E. Stevenson presenting the
Security Council with photographic evidence of the missile sites
in Cuba. The Times also carried the full text of the pope’s speech,
with a translation from the French provided by the Vatican Press
Office.21 The same day, Pravda published the following account
on the page devoted to foreign news:
Save the World Statement by Pope John XXIII
The Vatican. 25 Oct. (TASS) Pope John XXIII in Rome has made a plea
for the defense of peace, “To All Men of Good Will.” Speaking today
in an unscheduled broadcast on Vatican Radio, he said his words
came “from the very depths of a worried and saddened heart.
“Once again,” said the Pope, “threatening clouds are gathering on
the world horizon, bringing fear to countless millions of families.”
In this regard Pope John XXIII repeated his plea to the statesmen
[the address he had given to the extraordinary missions sent for the
opening of the Council]: “Let their reason come alight; let them heed
the cry of distress arising to Heaven from all corners of the world,
from innocent children and the aged, from individuals and all man-
kind: ‘Peace, Peace.’
“Today,” he said, “we repeat the plea of our heart and invoke the
heads of state not to be heedless of the cry from mankind. Let them
do all in their power to keep the peace. Thereby they will be keeping
mankind from the horrors of a war, the frightful effects of which no
one can foresee. Let them go on negotiating.
“To agree to negotiations at any level and at any location, to be
well-inclined to these negotiations and to commence them—this
would be a sign of wisdom and cautiousness that would be blessed
by heaven and earth.” 22- New York Times, October 26, 1962. 2 2. Pravda, October 26, 1962.