THE PRESIDENCY: He Never Lost Sight . . .

President Eisenhower was quick to express his own and the nation's grief at the death of Pope Pius XII (see RELIGION), whom he "was privileged to know personally" in an audience in 1945. "An informed and articulate foe of tyranny, he was a sympathetic friend and benefactor to those who were oppressed, and his helping hand was always quick to aid the unfortunate victims of war." wrote the President. "A man of profound vision, he kept pace with a changing universe, yet never lost sight of mankind's eternal destiny."

Designating Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, onetime (1953-57) U.S. Ambassador to Italy Clare Boothe Luce and AEC Chairman John A. McCone to represent the U.S. at the funeral services in St. Peter's, Presbyterian Eisenhower accepted an invitation to attend a Requiem Mass for the Pontiff this week at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington.