From the archives - reprint of article from Aug. 24, 1962 issue - Brief Article

Commonweal, August 13, 1999 by Michael Novak

Throughout 1999, Commonweal will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. Here from the August 24, 1962 issue is "The City of Rome Prepares" by former associate editor-at-large, the well-known author Michael Novak.

Rome is sweltering hot this summer. Stepping out from the cool interior of Saint Peter's, one meets rolling waves of dry heat and a blinding glare from the Piazza. Rome is quiet now, too. The great work of preparation for the council has been concluded. Summaries have been sent out to the bishops of the world, and now, in the summer heat, Rome is settling down to wait for October.

Construction work inside Saint Peter's is proceeding piano piano, but steadily. Metal scaffolding runs the length of the great central nave on both sides, supporting rows of graduated platforms on which the seats, tables, and priedieus of the nearly three thousand council fathers will be placed. The huge central nave will gradually be closed off from pilgrims and visitors, a building within a building. The throne for Pope John will be in front of the Confession. Lower than he, on his right, will be the rows of cardinals, facing the statue of Saint Peter across the aisle, and then the patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops will take their places facing one another across the wide central aisle. Each section for the bishops holds ten rows, one above the other, six seats to a row; each section will have a loudspeaker and a telephone to the desk of the secretary of the council. Microphones...will make it possible for every speaker to reach the whole assembly. A passage under the bleachers, with stairways to each section, makes access to one another relatively easy.