2016-04-26 13:59:00

When Pius XII quoted Shakespeare


(Vatican Radio) To mark the fourth centenary of the death of William Shakespeare Veronica Scarisbrick delves into Vatican Radio archives to find out more about the papacy and Shakespeare.

What she discovers are a few quotes on the part of Pius XII, a pope who it seems was a bit of a fan of this great Englishman and sometimes peppered his speeches with Shakespearian quotes.

A programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:

Beginning in 1946 while speaking of Mother Cabrini. It was the 9th of July and while highlighting how her thoughts flew high when it came to doing good, he quoted from her writings saying: “I feel the world is too small to satisfy my desires". And then added how in reading these words he was reminded of Portia from “The Merchant of Venice” who once said: "My little body is a-weary of this great world". 

A year later, this time it was the 5th of May and while speaking to delegates of an international postal congress he said: "Any international congress is of particular interest to Us. It bespeaks a breaking down of needless barriers and a uniting of nations. And quoting form Hamlet he said that is”a consummation devoutly to be wished".

Finally in March 1948 while speaking to students at the 'American Overseas School of Rome', Pius XII said: “Even the delicate irony of your genial Shakespeare points up to this holy design for a home and class room when it fits into the woeful pageant of the seven ages of man, played too often on the stage of the world". And he then quoted 'As you like it: 

"...the whining schoolboy, with his satchel  

 And shining morning face, creeping like a snail

 Unwilling to go to school"

 








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