1964-65 New York World's Fair Groundbreaking and Dedication Booklets

ATICAN PAVILION CEREMONIES
EW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1964-1965

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OCTOBER 31, 1962

EW YORK -3:00 A.M. .

. . . . ROME - 9:00 A.M.

THE FOLLOWING REMARKS ARE TAKEN FROM
A TRANSCRIPT OF THE VATICAN RADIO
BROADCAST DURING CEREMONIES IN ROME
AND AT FLUSHING MEADOW PARK COMMEM-
ORATING THE START OF CONSTRUCTION ON
THE VATICAN PAVILION, NEW YORK WORLD'S
FAIR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1962.

ANNOUNCER: We are assembled for the occasion
of the official groundbreaking ceremonies for the Vatican
Pavilion at the New York World's Fair in 1964 and 1965.
His Holiness Pope John XXIII is about to enter his pri-
vate study where he will deliver a commemorative address
in Latin, after which he will push a button to signal across
the Atlantic for the start of pile-driving operations at the
construction site of the Vatican Pavilion.

After the Holy Father's address, you will hear an Eng-
lish translation by the Right Rev. Monsignor Cardinale.

The Holy Father is about to enter — and everybody is
ready — the television cameras are already rolling. His

Holiness has now entered his private study and with him
are His Eminence Amleto Giovanni Cardinal Cicognani,
Vatican Secretary of State, and His Eminence Francis
Cardinal Spellman, who are taking their places on either
side of the Holy Father. And now you will hear His Holi-
ness, Pope John XXIII. The Holy Father.

[Pope John XXIII's Latin address, which is then fol-
lowed by transatlantic electronic signal to start con-
struction.]

ANNOUNCER: And now that you have heard the
Holy Father's message, you will hear a full English trans-
lation by the Right Reverend Monsignor Cardinale.

MSGR. CARDINALE: Spiritually present at the offi-
cial groundbreaking for the Vatican Pavilion of the New
York World's Fair, we are happy, on this occasion, to
extend our congratulations and our best wishes for its
success. The World's Fair, while it will bear testimony to
what the genius and labors of men have been able to
accomplish for the progress of civilization, will also con-
tribute without doubt to the solidarity of people and to
their fruitful collaboration for the welfare of humanity.

Cover: The Vatican Pavilion will rise on an oval-shaped
plot of land in Flushing Meadow, to be crowned by a
lantern and a cross at a total height of 100 feet. It will
feature, in addition to the famed "Pieta" by Michelangelo,
a Gallery of Michelangelo, containing a treatment of the
works of the artist; a statue of the Good Shepherd, an

early Christian sculpture from the catacombs; an exhibi-
tion of one-third life size color transparencies of the
Sistine Chapel, and a collection of Vatican coins. Architec-
tural firms collaborating on the Vatican Pavilion design
are York & Sawyer; Hurley & Hughes; Luders and Asso-
ciates. Contractor is Stewart M. Muller of White Plains.

) 1962 New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation

Pope John XXIII presses switch in Vatican that sends
signal starling pile-driving operations for Vatican Pavilion
at New York World's Fair. At left is Amlelo Giovanni
Cardinal Cicognani, Vatican Secretary of State, and at right
is Francis Cardinal Spelhnan of New York. In the back-

ground are Bishop Bryan J. McEn/egart of Brooklyn and
Thomas J. Deegan, Jr., chairman of Fair' s executive com-
mittee. The picture above was taken from the European
television broadcast.

To this end, from our heart, we cherish the hope that
this remarkable progress of science will serve for the
spiritual progress of mankind, without which there can
be neither true prosperity nor secure peace.

This is the reason for the participation of the Holy
See in this World's Fair and so that our wishes may be-
come a consoling reality, we implore from Almighty God
an abundance of divine favors.

ANNOUNCER: That was the Right Reverend Mon-
signor Cardinale who has given you the full English
translation of the Holy Father's speech.

And now the Fair's official gold medallion is being
presented to His Holiness by Mr. Thomas J. Deegan, Jr.,
chairman of the New York World's Fair executive
committee.

The Holy Father is escorted to his desk now by Car-
dinal Cicognani and Cardinal Spellman, both of whom
will return to deliver their own personal messages com-
memorating the start of construction on the Vatican
Pavilion.

His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop
of New York is now ready to speak to you. His Eminence
Cardinal Spellman.

CARDINAL SPELLMAN: Holy Father, in behalf of
the Bishop of Brooklyn and myself, I express deep grati-
tude to Your Holiness for all that you have done to help

us in the World's Fair from the very beginning. Your
encouraging words and your inspiration in the beginning
have been a great help to the Bishops of the country in
providing for this magnificent building. We are grateful
to you this morning for pressing the button to start the
activities in the building of this Vatican Pavilion.

Your Holiness has been most gracious in allowing the
"Pieta" to come to New York and — notwithstanding
the fears of some directors of museums who themselves
have had thousands of works of art brought over on the
ocean — Your Holiness has desired that people who are
unable to make the journey to Rome can see this master-
piece of Michelangelo.

The purpose of the Fair is to achieve "Peace through
Understanding." And that corresponds very closely, I
believe, to our own interpretation of our blessed and be-
loved country of peace through moral and mortal restraint.
Lately we have had an example of the peace through the
measures adopted by our country. The Church has the
program and the policy of peace through prayer and like-
wise we are grateful because God has answered our pray-
ers since last Sunday when in our Churches — the Catholic
Church of the United States — we had prayers for peace.
And almost miraculously peace has dawned. So once more,
Beloved Holy Father, we thank you for the interest that
you have shown in the World's Fair. Thank you very
much.

Gathered at Flushing Meadow for the 3 a.m. World's
Voir Vatican Pavilion groundbreaking ceremonies are: Very
Rev. Msgr. Francis M. Costello, Very Rev. Msgr. Timothy

J. Flynn, Fair President Robert Moses, Most Rev. John
J. Maguire. Hon. James J. Delaney, Rt. Rev. Msgr.
James W. Asip, and Rev. Raymond Leonard.

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ANNOUNCER: That was His Eminence, Francis
Cardinal Spellman. And now His Eminence Amleto Gio-
vanni Cardinal Cicognani, The Holy Father's Secretary
of State.

CARDINAL CICOGNANI: I am so pleased with this
contribution of the Vatican Pavilion to the New York
World's Fair and I am sure that the American people will
visit this pavilion with sincere affection. This is an occa-
sion to rejoice with the good people of New York and
Brooklyn and also to recall fond memories of friends
throughout the length and breadth of the United States.

His Holiness Pope John XXIII, with his great heart,
is preparing with delight to allow this treasure of art to
be transported to the World's Fair, fully confident of the
inspiration which it will bring to the many millions who
will visit this magnificent venture. My prayers and good
wishes for a great success.

ANNOUNCER: You are listening to the Vatican radio
in this special broadcast on the occasion of the official
groundbreaking for the Vatican Pavilion in the New York
World's Fair. This broadcast has come from the private
study of His Holiness Pope John XXIII. That is the end
of this broadcast — Praise to Jesus Christ — Laudator
Jesus Christus.

[Sound of bells is heard from St. Peter's Basilica
mingling with the pile driver at Flushing Meadow.]

MSGR. TIMOTHY J. FLYNN: Your Holiness, Your
Eminences Cardinal Cicognani and Cardinal Spellman,
Your Excellency Bishop McEntegart — this is Monsignor
Flynn at the site of the Vatican Pavilion at the Fairgrounds
in New York. You have just heard the start of construc-
tion. It is 3 a.m. and it has been raining here, but we
are very cheerful.

In the name of all those assembled here, Bishop Ma-
guire, Msgr. Asip and Father Leonard of Brooklyn, Msgr.
Costello, the officials of the World's Fair, the construction
men, the press, television personnel and all here gathered,
we wish to express our thanks — thanks particularly to
His Holiness — for we are grateful for the events of this
night. What His Holiness has done in starting the con-
struction of the Vatican Pavilion is not only a tribute to
modern technological progress but it is also an act of
faith in the Fair and in the Future.

May I now present the Honorable Robert Moses, presi-
dent of the New York World's Fair.

ROBERT MOSES: The theme of the New York
World's Fair is peace through a mutual understanding on
a shrinking globe in an expanding universe. We welcome
the support of the Vatican at this crucial time, and its
willingness to send us its greatest and most moving sculp-
tural symbol. We regard the announcement of the begin-
ning of construction of the Vatican Pavilion as an event
of immense world significance. It is an inspiration to all
of us.

On the occasion of the start of construction on the Vatican Pavilioii,
Thomas J. Deegan, Jr. presented the Holy Father with World's
Fair medallion.

UNISPHERE
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VATICAN PAVILION DIRECTORS

RT. REV. MSGR. JAMES W. ASIP
VERY REV. MSGR. TIMOTHY J. FLYNN
VERY REV. MSGR. FRANCIS M. COSTELLO
REV. RAYMOND LEONARD

NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1964-1965 CORPORATION

Flushing 52, N. Y. Tel. 212-WF 4-1964

ROBERT MOSES, President

THOMAS J. DEEGAN, JR., Chairman of the Executive Committee

WILLIAM E. POTTER, Executive Vice President

CHARLES POLETTI, Vice President, International Affairs and Exhibits

STUART CONSTABLE, Vice President, Operations

WILLIAM A. BERNS, Vice President, Communications and

Public Relations
ERWIN WITT, Comptroller

MARTIN STONE, Director of Industrial Section

GUY F. TOZZOLI, (Port of New York Authority) Transportation Section
ERNESTINE R. HAIG, Secretary of the Corporation and

Assistant to the President
WILLIAM WHIPPLE, JR., Chief Engineer