ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS PIUS XII
TO PRINCE RANIERI III AND PRINCESS GRACE OF MONACO*

 Tuesday, 30 April 1957

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In these days when Paschal joy is overflowing in its fullness, Your Most Serene Highnesses, accompanied by distinguished attendants, have desired to come to the Eternal City and into the house of the Father of all. So the happy opportunity is given to Us to show the satisfaction that this courteous and filial visit affords and to congratulate you on the favors and graces that divine goodness has deigned to grant you.

The charm of youth, the good fortune of your Principality, and the other circumstances that surround your life are drawing upon you the notice of everyone. Therefore do We ardently hope that all may be able to admire in you the splendor of the Christian faith; the harmonious balance that exists between blameless fidelity to the demands of Catholic morality and respect for the duties that your rank imposes; the convincing example of a happiness solidly established on peace of conscience, serenity of mind, and perfect union of spirits in charity.

At the place where the Alps incline toward the Mediterranean and seem to lose their harshness in order to suggest a sign of goodwill and gentleness, the territory of your Principality extends over a corner of privileged earth: hills in graceful outline, a promontory with a welcoming roadway whose calm waters, stirred by the swift coursing of sailboats, reflect the azure of the heavens and the image of a peaceful dwelling place.

We know that in this delightful place the Monacan people form with their Prince but a single large family, spontaneously share their interests and their pleasures, and, sheltered from the trials that disturb greater nations, enjoy tranquillity favorable for the development of the most attractive human qualities. The Church, which reverences and praises the works of God and the gifts which He grants to His own, has always given its cooperation to this people favored by the attentions of Providence, for whom We express the fervent wish that they may always prosper through purity of faith, integrity of morals, and unceasing practice of the principles of justice and of charity, which are the best assurance of stability and success for nations.

And while in these sentiments We send up Our fervent prayers to God, We grant Our Apostolic Benediction to Your Most Serene Highness, to the little Princess Caroline – new life scarcely begun, on which We invoke the choicest graces of heaven – to all the persons here present, and to all the inhabitants of the Principality.

*The Pope Speaks, vol.4 n°2, p.160.