The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-22

monslgnoIi and cardinals, and IN their midst
the Holy Father, all forming group Of har-
monious colors-robes 81 red and dark
purple and black, and in tie midst tile
white robe Of the head Of the Catholic
Church. Tho percentages nearest the Pope
were Cardinals Patrizi AMI Mertol, while
Mgrs Pacca and Cayaletd came il advance.
the former u receive tie pccasssos in read-
ness 10 announce the names 81 the kneelers
to Els Holiness.
Ills HOLINESS THE POPE.
Holding III his right hand and resting
heavily upon a handsome walking stick, the
Pope approached the group Of earnest young
priests who had consecrated themselves to the
work OF mercy Of attending the sick in the
hospitals. The Holy Fathers features
Frightened as he received their customary
salutatlon. he spoke few words to
each and then placed his hand
upon the head of each in his kind, fatherly
paternal feeling he entertains toward all
who consecrate themselves 20 works OF
charity and human welfare. | had time to
observe the Holy Fathers features and gen.
eral appearance before he approached me.
noticed that he walked heavily, shufhingly,
as old men do who have passed
threescore years and ten; and,
though 7 could see traces Of the early
nobility Of carriage and happy, bright
dignity Of feature, yet the form before me was
no longer that of few years ago. The firm
contour of face has been lost \; the features
seem to hang heavily down, and the old,
bright, penetrating eye is dimmed and
weakened. There is no conceaing the
ravages that old age and trouble and
conflicts and disease have wrought upon this
once noble figure would indeed gladly be-
lie7e that His Holiness has yet ten years Of
life and usefulness before him, that he may
yet live to see the final victory Of the Catholic
Church over her enemies; but / cannot Pope
Plus ". is but wreck Of his former self,
but q magnificent wreck nevertheless /
would be unjust to myself were to describe
him not according to the impression left upon
me in my brief interview. Some day. and in
all probability not long hence Pope Plus X.
will take to his bed never more to rise from it
again. But God grant that day may be still
far away.
WORDS OF THE PoNTIFF
His Holiness approached the prelato by my
side, who introduced me, and who, after The
usual ceremonies, had the kindness to inform
the Holy Father Of my name and my duties
in Rome.
The PcrtiF gave me his right hand, which
saluted, ns is etiquette. My companion
then recalled to the memory Of His Holiness
the fact Of his having sent 70 the HERALD his
Allocution on the evening before the delivery
in the Consistory.
''Yes,' said His Holiness" was pleased to
know, by the desire shown to have IT, that 50
great an interest existed in your country
about it."
The Holy Father wished that the great
journal would make it known how rejoicod
he was to hear Of the pleasure that
had been given to 50 many Americans
in the creation Of the new Cardinal
lie said that he had already received
thanks from many prominent American Cath
olics in Rome, and the many messages Of this
nature we're very gratifying to him, especially
now, amid the troubles and persecution OF
the Church in Europe.
"But," said the Holy Father, "vhy are you,
too. not in New York in order to describe the
festivities that are about to take place thereP"
Iventured to say that there we're a score Of
more capable persons than myself there who
would do that; besides, my presence was
needed in Rome, which had still great interest
for the people Of America.
His Holiness paused moment, and then
spoke Of the Ablegato and the Noble Guard
who had been despatched with the official no
tiAcation and the beyTsttd to America.
"How many days." he said, ''does it take
for them to cross the ocean shall be glad
to hear when they have arrived safely at their
destination"
replied, "From ten to fourteen days, Holy
Father, depending on the state Of tho winds"
"Ab, fourteen dsysl" Then, as If his mind
had wandered for moment across TO New