Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-09


Interview Between FrederIla Bremen
and Pic NOnO-Appearance and Manner
of the Pope.
Frederika Bremen, in her latest book Of
travels in Switzerland and Italy, gives this
account of her interview with the Pope:
Madame de N. told me that Madame -
was celebrated for her talent in converting
Protestants. She had converted to the
Catholic Church more than sixty persons,
partly in France, partly in Rome.
| had now so often said, "I will ask the
Popel" that myself became rather curious
as to what his answer would be, and | re-
solved to make my joke earnest. l had al
ways regarded Pho Mono as an unusually
liberal Catholic; and his amiable appearance,
as well as his liberal sympathies, which he
avowed at the time of ascending the ponti6-
cal throne, had won my heart. For these
and other reasons, l was glad to have an op-
portunity of a nearer view of Pho Mono.
| preferred my request for an audience
through our kind and ever-benevolent and
polite Scandinavian Consul, Cavaliere Bravo.
And two days afterward, early in the morn
ing, l received command to go that same
day to the Vatican. The printed letter by
which this was communicated contained also
directions as to how / was to be dressed
namely, in black silk, with vail.
AT four o'clock, accordingly, last Sunday
afternoon, l was in the saloon of the Vati-
can, to which | was introduced by a young
page in a scarlet-silk dress. In spacious
room, ornamented by two large pictures
several ladies and some gentlemen were
seated, waiting tor their summons, they also
| having requested audiences. The Pope on
| Sunday afternoon gives audiences, especially
to ladies, who are allowed, however, to be
accompanied by their husbands or sons. We
waited about an hour. l contemplated the
two large pictures which occupied two whole
walls of the apartment. They were paint
ings of middling quality, representing the
revelation of fImmdculdtd Virgine to Pho
Mono, and of his solemn announcement of
this dogma in the Church of st. Peters.
The persons waiting in the room were
called in to the Pope in the order in which
they had arrived. They went in by twos or
| threes at a time. | was summoned to enter
alone, as | had come.
Before entering the Pope's room, I had to
wait yet little while in well-lighted cor
ridor, where two cardinals politely took
charge of me. The eldest, still young, a
handsome, fair, very tall gentleman, with
quite worldly appearance under the eccle-
siastical cloak and cap (Monsignore de Me-
rode), talked about my writings, with which
l am sure that he was only acquainted from
a critical notice of them, which has lately
appeared in French paper, the Constitution.
Ell.
He supposed that was a "Catholic ?"
replied in the negative.
"Oh but you must become one. Yor
must be converted; you must not stol
halfway A lady such as you"-and so on
He was interrupted by the summons tt
the Pope. l entered, attended by Monsignort
de MeIode, who knelt at the door and lef
me alone with "His Holiness l saw at thu
farther end of an oblong, light, and very
simply furnished room, man of stout bu
handsome figure, standing at q writing
table, dressed in long white garment, will
scarlet lapels and cap. made one Low
courtsey at the door, another in the middle o
the room, in obedience to the Pope's sign Il
me to advance and yet third as ] ap
preached him, and took my stand on tn
same little carpet with him, which l did il
accordance with his friendly indication of hi
will. (For such persons as do not kneel t
the Pope are required by the ceremonial t
make three courtseys or bows.)
The portraits of the Pope are in genera
like him; but his full, short, and broad coun
tenance has when seen more nearly, les
expression of kindness and considerable
more of self-will and temper than the poi
traits exhibit. The glance of the blue eye
lively, but not profound, and is deficient i
earnestness. The Complexion and physiqu
generally indicate the best of health, goo
appetite and good cook.
The Pope cast his eye on a written pape
which he held in his hand; and having in
quired about my country and place of res
dence, added, "You have written somewhat
: Myself-"Yes your Holiness; novels {
domestic life, more properly descriptions {
life. but in the form of novels"
The Pope-"But you are a Catholic Z"
Myself-"No, your Holiness, not a Roma
Catholic.
, The Pope-"Then you must become on
There is no completeness or consequence OF
of the Catholic Church."