To Pope Pius IX, the undisputed head of the most powerful
Church in Christendom, possessor of both temporal and spiritual authority, He,
a Prisoner in the army barracks of the penal-colony of 'Akká, addressed a most
weighty Epistle, in which He announces that "He Who is the Lord of Lords
is come overshadowed with clouds," and that "the Word which the Son
concealed is made manifest." He, moreover, warns him not to dispute with
Him even as the Pharisees of old disputed with Jesus Christ; bids him leave his
palaces unto such as desire them, "sell all the embellished
ornaments" in his possession, "expend them in the path of God,"
abandon his kingdom unto the kings, "arise ... amidst the peoples of the
earth," and summon them to His Faith. Regarding him as one of the suns of
the heaven of God's names, He cautions him to guard himself lest "darkness
spread its veils" over him; calls upon him to "exhort the kings"
to "deal equitably with men"; and counsels him to walk in the
footsteps of his Lord, and follow His example.
- Shoghi Effendi ('God
Passes By')