Pauling’s Peace Prize was nothing if not controversial. A few large newspapers, notably the Washington Post, were enthusiastic, but most others were bitingly critical of the choice. The consensus was that if anyone deserved it, Kennedy did, not Pauling. Pauling was a "placarding peacenik" (New York Herald-Tribune), a pro-Communist (Chicago Tribune), and a member of innumerable subversive organizations (Time magazine). In short, the prize was "A Weird Insult from Norway" (Life magazine).

The criticism was unfortunate, but it did not dampen Pauling’s obvious happiness and enthusiasm when he arrived in Oslo for the Nobel ceremonies. In Europe he was lauded, feted, and loved. The presentation of the award, in the same hall in which he had held his Oslo Conference, was attended by a large crowd. Pauling thanked Einstein, Russell, and "thousands of others" who had labored for peace. He then paid special attention to his wife, Ava Helen. "In the fight for peace and against oppression, she has been my constant and courageous companion and coworker," he said. "On her behalf, as well as my own, I express my thanks." The Paulings then went on a grand tour of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, before returning to a large tribute from the peace community, held in New York, attended by three thousand well-wishers.