Cardinal Siri's Mediation
From Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, volume 2, pages 255-6The Holy Father was informed that I was in Rome by Cardinal Siri whom I had gone to visit on my arrival in Rome. Cardinal Siri wanted to intervene so that I should have this audience. I did not myself ask Cardinal Siri for the audience —I was thinking of having it later, as it was still too soon and it would be better to wait until the Pope had been informed and events would show what line the Pope would take, what he was thinking. But as soon as I met Cardinal Siri he said: "Fine! Next week I have an audience with the Pope, and if you like I'll talk to him about it. We'll certainly discuss it."He did have an audience the next week, on Monday. I had visited him on Friday and on the following Monday he had his audience (he hadn't told me that day: it could have been Thursday, Friday). That Monday evening he told me, saying: "Good. It is arranged. The Holy Father will receive you on Saturday at 4:30 in his private apartments"—on Saturday, for, as the Pope had said to him, he wanted the meeting to be on Our Lady's day so that it would be under herpatronage. I was to get in touch with one of his friends who would bring me to the Holy Father's private apartments—as it was not an official audience it could not take place in the offices where the Pope is accustomed to receive those who have an audience with him.
I have often been to see the Popes, one after another, Pope Pius XII, Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI—but always in the official places, never in the private apartments. So I thought it better to keep out of sight for a day or two so as to avoid being eventually interrogated by people in the Vatican, who always know everything. It is difficult, I said to myself: I don't know how I can get to the Vatican without the news being in the press beforehand. Monday to Saturday evening! It would be a miracle if nothing appeared in the press. And, if it did get in, would I have the audience?Michael Fighting
"Michael…who standeth for…thy people," — Dan. 12:1-12
