The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-31

The Pope and tho Prince of Wales.
On Wednesday of last week there occurred
In Rome an event which, had it happened few
years ago, would have furnished a sensation
to the entire English-speaking world. 1t is
significant indication of the changed and
changing character of the times that the event
was comparatively unnoticed. We refer to
the formal visit which was paid to the Holy
Father, Pope Plus the Ninth, by the heir to
the British throne, in company with his young
and accomplished Princess. The interview
seems to have been most agreeable. The
audience granted by the Pope to the illustrious
pair was, we were told, long; and the Holy
Father desired their Royal Highuesses "to
convey to the Queen his thanks for her con-
slant evidence of sympathy" 1t is added
that tho venerable Pontif-no doubt with a
special reference to the national Thanksgiving
for the restoration to health Of the Prince of
Wales-praised the British people for their
piety. On the same day visit was paid by
the royal couple to Cardinal Autonelli.
In all this we think we can discover evil
dence of the fine spirit which has all along
been eminently a characteristic of Queen
Victoria. 1t Is reasonable to take it for
granted that the Ministry desired that the
Prince, in visiting Rome and paying his
respects to the Italian monarch, should also
courteously consider and recognize the posi-
ton of the venerable Pontiff. The Pope's
own words, however, seem to imply that the
Prince and Princess were the bearers of a
kindly message from the Queen. 1t is pleas
ing to notice such freedom from prejudice in
high places and to contrast it with the bigotry
and narrow mindedness of times not yet for
gotten. We remember the excitement which
was produced in England when the Prince of
Wales, on the occasion Of his first visit to
Rome, was introducedto the Holy Father. The
royal family unmistakable proof of lean
ing towards Rome. The pulpits Numbered,
the press was loud, and mo Popery" was the
cry on every lip. Enlightenment through the
railroad, the telegraph and the newspaper
has reached the palace as well as
the cottage, and emancipation from
the miserable prejudices of the past
comes as blessing to the prince and to
the peasant alike. The Prince of Wales, the
prospective head of the Church Of England,
pays his respects to the Chief of the ancient
Catholic Church, and intelligent men every
where, of all creeds and confessions, see proof
Of progress and an earnest of better things
yet to come. We do not deny that the. ''No
Popery" cry might be got up in England; but
it is patent to all minds that the age of reli-
gious party strife is rapidly passing away.
We live in marvellous age. Progressive
change is everywhere visible. What changes
have taken place within the last quarter of a
century, What greater changes will take
place in the fifty years that are to follow |!
Who shall say that the successor of St. Peter,
now that he is no longer encountered with tn
cares of temporal sovereignty, may not yet sue
coed In healing the Churchs divisions and
gathering into one fold all that bear the name
of Jesus2 Wonderful it certainly would be;
but who shall say impossiblef One thing Is
perfectly clear, that religion, as well as race
and language, must cease to divide the human
family.