The Pastoral concludes with an exhortation to the people not to forget the demands of charity, even in their straitened circumstances, and with the quotation of a message specially sent by the Pope to Cardinal Mercier and.to the people of his diocese. The Pope expresses his special solicitude for the people of Belgium, whom we love 80 much. reduced by the most cruel and disastrous. war it is possible to imagine to so lamentable a state." He says that he has heard that hi people in Belgium, under all their trials, have not ceased in their piety to turn their looks and their thoughts towards Rome May souls, sad and affected. find com. fort and consolation in the assurance of the fatherly affection which inspires our prayer. May God have pity upon the Belgian nation and pour out upon them the abundance of His blessings.
Tu proof of these wishes the Pope grants to all and each, and above all to his dear brother" Cardinal Mercier, his Apostolic Benediction.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.