Religion: Truce in Rome

In Rome the Italian government called off its carabinieri and allowed U.S. Church of Christ missionaries to preach to their congregations. After a month-long wrangle between the missionaries and the government (TIME, Sept. 29), the U.S. embassy had urged a simple truce: let the services go on while the government is considering the missionaries' applications for full charters under Italian law.

There were still a few difficulties to be ironed out. When 35 worshipers arrived at Pastor Paden's church after the lifting of the ban, they found three plainclothesmen watchfully occupying a nearby park bench. Their explanation: Neighbors had complained of screaming and shouting. Countered Pastor Paden: "We do not shout, scream or holler. The Church of Christ service is very dignified."