Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-21
THE POPE'S HEALTH.
To Preserve it he Must Spend the sum
mer in the COuntry-MOnte Cas-
sine, the Benedictine MOnas-
terry, Is to be his Home Dur
ing the Hot Months.


Pope Leo XIII, it is said, will accept the add
vice Of his physicians. and spend part of the
summer out of the Vatican. If Leo XIII
takes this step he will virtually put at end to
the pontifcal incarceration which has lasted
since the breach of Porta PA. Out of the
Vatican the pontiH cannot go without enter
ing within the territory of the despoiler.
There is no doubt that, so far as the Italian
government is concerned, every facility will
be afforded to the pope IN all his movements.
If Leo XIII wishes 1t his passage to and fro
from st. Peters to his summer abode, wher.
ever he may fix that, will be guarded by the
royal troops. The place of the pope's sum-
mer residence will be made as sure to the
pontif as the Vatican itself, and no one will
be permitted to intrude on the privacy of his
sojourn or to disturb his solItudes. He may
be accompanied by the chief members of the
pontlfcal, court, and may even be protected
by his noble guards. The pope may, how
ever, prefer to travel iHcOg1litO and as prl-
vate person. He will probably refuse all
open offers of protection from the goyern-
ment, and thus may keep up his protest
against the usurper. But In whatever way
he may travel, and in whatever spot he may
choose to spend MS UittegiaturG, he will, by
simply leaving the Vatican for month or
six weeks and returning thereto, mark
change 10 the Vatican policy of the highest
importance. He will proclaim the practical
bihty of arriving at a compromise with the
government of King Humbert He will de-
scend from the pedestal of immobility and
accept the status of an Italian citizen pro
tempore. Until Leo XIII actually leaves the
Vatican many persons will refuse to credit
that such step was ever contemplated by
his holiness. | was told lately by individ-
uals of high station and authority that Leo
XIII has never entertained the idea of aban-
doning the Vatican even for day. He has, it
is said, declared himself ready to sacrifice his
health and his life ON the altar OF that duty
which binds him to his prison house, where
in, and wherein only, he is a sovereign as
we'll as pontiff. But l have more recently
been informed that removal from the Vati-
can for short time, from motives of health,
may be expected. And although l am in
clined to discredit this intelligence it comes
from source worthy of attention. The place
to which Leo XIII may retire is not yet
known. Perugia was spoken of, and in Per-
ugla, where he was bishop, and gained gen.
eral esteem, the pope would have the COM
partnership OF many valued friends. But par
ty feeling runs high in Perugia, and there
are republicans and socialists in that city who
would delight In worrying the pontitf. A
few days ago a band of these revolutionists
marched through the leading streets of Peru
gia carrying red flag. Neither the syndic
nor the pretor took the trouble to prevent or
stop this demonstration. 1t is unlikely that
would expose himself to risk and disturbance
by visiting Perugia. The pontifcal palace
at Castel Gandolfo is as much the property
of the pope as the Vatican itself, but it IS
wholly unfit at present for a pontiical resi-
dence. 1t is occupied by nuns of various Or
ders, to whom Plus TX gave temporary shell
ter in his summer palace, and it would be diff
hcult to expel them or send them away to
any other abode. Moreover, the palace of
Castel Gandolfo is IN a dilapidated condition.
| paid it visit some weeks ago and found
the approaches filthy, and the place itself in
need of extensive repairs. At the very gate
stands guardhouse filed with soldiers Of
the Italian government, and the names of
the streets through which the pope would
pass to enter the palace are styled by names
abhorrent to papal ears. The revolutionlsts
or republicans In Rome, who are fond OF &C.
casionally airing their anti-monarchlcal SEN
timents In rascati and Albano, and who
hate the pope even more than the king,
would be delighted to hold jovial demonstra-
tons under the pope's nose II Castel Gandol-
TO. And although the Italian government
would doubtless suppress such demonstra-
tons by force If necessary, Lso Kill would
scarcely expose himself to the humiliation of
being guarded from insult by the kings
troops. Monte Casino has been mentioned
as a more likely place for the pope's abode.
1t Is a monastery, 1t Is true, almost lmmedl-
L
belongs to the government under the law of
suppression Of the religious orders, and it is
only by favor of the government that a few
Benedlctlne monks are permitted to live
there and keep a boarding school or college
for young men. But the pope, once arrived
at Monte Casino, would be safe from disturb
ance or intrusion. The monastery is built
on the summit of the mountain and contains
spacious and noble apartments, some of which
were specially destined for the reception of
royal visitors. There is magnificent church
and noble library, enriched with rare man.
uscripts. As place for learned repose and
literary retirement Monte Casino is unriv-
aled. Father Tosti, the learned Benedic-
tine, is as remarkable for his talents as the
monastery of which he is the ornament. But.
it is not enough to know that Monte Casino
is healthful and cool, and replete with all
that could charm the tired and enfeebled
pontitf. The political atmosphere breethed
by Father Tosti and the Benedictines par
takes OF the freedom of the breeze which fans
the mountain top, and Leo XIII will respire,
In more senses than one, with greater liberty
IN Monte Casino than at the Vatican. The
Benedlctines, partly from their intellectual
culture, partly from the republican constitu-
ton OF their order, which is far different
from the rigid discipline of the Jesuits, rep
resent the most liberal, as the followers of
Loyola represent the straltest, aspect of Ca
tholicism. Father Tosti held patriotic views,
and was said to be no favorite with Plus TX.
And therefore if Leo XIII selects Monte Cas-
slno tor his summer abode this year, his
choice, so it is argued, will have been die
tated not merely by motives of health.