The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University



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Merton Center Manuscripts:

'Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978'

Giovanni B. Montini; Giovanni Battista Montini; Pope Paul VI; Giovanni Enrico Antonio Maria Montini


Merton first wrote Giovanni B. Montini in 1949 while serving as Secretary of State for the Vatican under Pope Pius XII. Montini became Archbishop of Milan in 1955, was elevated to cardinal in 1958, and was elected Pope Paul VI in 1963.

Paul VI read and appreciated Merton's writings. He had an active role in the Second Vatican Council before and after becoming pope. Merton was lending support to the Second Vatican Council's statement on interfaith dialog, which became Nostra Aetate, the "Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions," which was proclaimed under Pope Paul VI. Merton was also pleased with Paul VI for his statement for peace before the United Nations in 1965. Merton wrote to delegates at Vatican II supporting Schema 13's provisions against modern war, later a part of Gaudium et Spes, the "Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World".


Subjects List

Art | Religious aspects
Art and religion |
Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978 |


RESTRICTIONS: Please click here for general restrictions concerning Merton's manuscripts.

Container List

#SectionAuthor1st Pub1st Serial 1st BookWork ReviewedContent
1. Crossreference ; See:  Address on prayer by Pope Paul VI at his regular weekly general audience - November, 10, 1965 (translated by Thomas Merton) -->
2. Notes E.1 Message to artists by Pope Paul VI, Sistine Chapel, May 7, 1964 Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; unpublished For the text of Pope Paul VI address, see: www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/homilies/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19640507_messa-artisti_it.html. «detailed view» -->
3. Crossreference ; See:  Seeds of destruction -->