- The Italia expedition -

Pope Pius meets Italia crew

Summary

Papal blessing for pioneer aviators heading for North Pole

Date of event: Saturday, 31 March 1928 / By hidden europe

Papal blessing for pioneer aviators heading for North Pole

The entire crew of the Italia, the airship due to leave Milan this spring in a journey to the North Pole, met with His Holiness Pope Pius XI at the Vatican today. The crew is led by Umberto Nobile who, on behalf of the crew, accepted from the Pope a wooden cross that, if conditions permit, will be placed at the North Pole.

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