Romans gather to hear Pope after liberation of Italian capital.

Romans gather to hear Pope after liberation of Italian capital. Hundreds of thousands of Romans gather in the square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral to hear Pope Pius XII on June 5, 1944, the day after the Italian capital was liberated from German control by Allied troops. The Pontiff, who spoke from the balcony of St. Peter's (not shown) expressed gratitude that the Eternal City had been spared the ravages of war. While Allied relief stations were immediately set up in Rome to aid civilians made destitute under German occupation, Allied troops and armor pursued the enemy fleeing northward. By June 12, American soldiers had driven the Germans 65 miles north of the Italian capital.