The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-22
An interesting Interview with Pop'
Plus TX.

before the italian occupation. The mag
nidcent festivities, the ecclesiastical pomp,
the rich spectacles ia thronged streets. the
solemn and affecting ceremonies beneath the
done Of the great church, which il one Of the
noblest monuments Of the sublime genius Of
Michael Angelo, are now omitted; for the
Holy Father has decided to consider him
self as a prisoner, and Easter has
lost its former splendor and attractions
il the capital Of Catholic Christianity. The
first part Of our interesting letter Is taken mp
with pictorial descriptions Of the great Easter
scenes in the streets and temples Of worship
as they we're presented in their former mag
nifcence before political blight fell on the
temporal power Of the Sovereign Pontiff and
which have disappeared since he no longer
steps outside the walls Of the Vatican. The
succeeding portion Of the letter may be re
garded as an account Of the effects Of this con-
fnement on the two great ecclesiastical digni-
taLes whose sense Of decorum and adherence
Y to principle shut them up as prisoners.
The point Of deepest interest, both to the
Catholic and non-Catholic world, is the
\ declining physical strength Of the aged and
venerable Pope. Ho feels that he would
violate the dignity Of his Office and compro-
mise the rights OF the Church if he should go
forth beyond the limits Of the palace and
grounds over which the Italian government
does not assert its jurisdiction. Beyond these
restricted limits he feels that he would expose
himself to be regarded as an Italian sub
ject, and he refuses, at the peril
L. - -. he I,r,1h1Y
to be insulted by putting himself even
constructvely under the authority Of q secu-
lar monarch who has invaded his rights, and,
as he thinks, sacrlegiously despoilcd him Of
his temporal power The weight Of years
presses upon him with greater force in conse-
quence of this seclusion and OF the anIieties
which attend HE contest with what he regards
as the usurping Italian government Card-
nal Antonelli, who is not vet quite three score
and ten, suffers in his bodily health from the
same cause. This great ecclesiastical states
man Is suffering under probably incurable
malady, which is exacerbated by his enforced
change Of habits. He formerly possessed a
villa, the property Of the Church, IN suburb
OF Rome, whittier il WIS his custom to drive
on every bright afternoon and recreate himself
with pleasant horticultural pursuits and ex-
hilarahng views Of landscape and sky. Since
he il cut of from this support Of his declining
strength his health wanes apace, and both
Minister and Pope are visioly approaching the
end Of their troubled career and must ere long
leave 70 other hands the great interests which
they have SO long jointly administered.
- i. -
will be read with most interest is his report Of
the audience which was accorded him BY the
venerable PontifE 1t was what Is called a
semi-private audience-the nearest approach
4 to a private or confidential audience, which,
\ Of course, lie could not have reported. He
received this mark OF recognition in conse-
quence Of his relation to the HERALD. Its
ostcnsible object, which brought It within tie
etiquette Of the Vatican, was to express to His
Holiness the thanks Of the proprietor Of the
HERALD for the great courtesy Of commuui.
eating a copy Of his Allegation On the occasioT
\ Of the creation Of the new cardinals IN advance
AZ its delivery courtesy never before &C
corded 10 any secular journal The forms Of
etiquette observed in audiences with tho Pope
are clearly and graphically described ~ our
correspondent who makes d pleasant addition
u the public knowledge On such subjects.
what Be says Of the changed personal appear
ance 81 the Pops has IN almost pathetic in
tersst A feeble Oh man of pairarchal
aspect WHO walks heavily with The assistance
II III d cane to support lis tops, who is bowed
iv TIE Weight Of years and accumulated
....--r.- .rb-9s r,.Dr.rg. chaare All