I met Pope Pius XII

There has been mention recently of Pope Pius XII. I met him, possibly one of the last South Africans to do so.

A pilot in SAAF 24 Squadron in Italy in 1944, I was granted leave there, so I visited Rome, to join a forces’ meeting with the Holy Father in Vatican City. As an officer I was ushered on to a podium in the hall, with other ranks in the body of the hall. These rushed towards the chair in which the pope was carried in, to try to touch his garments.

He walked round the podium to greet the 100 or so officers there. When he shook hands with me, he asked if I was an American. I said: “No, South African”, to which he replied: “Of course! Red tabs.” These were our epaulets.

I’m only sorry I was too young to appreciate the occasion.

BCI Clarke, White River