The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-01
A TALK WITH THE POPE.
Expressions Concerning America as Made to
Visitor Few Days Ago.
Rome Letter in the Baltimore Sun.


There is not ruler in all ChristendOm that is
as easily approached as Leo Kill To be pre-
Sented to his Holiness gentleman must go in
evening full dress, sans gloves. a lady goes
dressed in black, wearing black lace veil over
head and shoulders. after the early Italian court
STYLE or the modern Spanish mode The lady
also goes sans gloves The presentations are of
two orders, public and private, and generally in
the morning. public audience sometimes en-
braces the PaDal mass. and afterwards the per-
sonal introduction. l was presented by Monsig-
nor Maechi, the chief chamberlain. The Pope
was seated He wore a cashmere alb, made
from the chosen lambs wool each st. Agnes
day fitting his body closely, it presented the
outlines of 1.-THE and somewhat nervous figure.
Around his waist broad, richly watered
silk sash, the falling ends terminating with gold
bullion fringe. On his hands We're white wooden
knit mittens. From and around his neck hung
heavy gold chain, pendant to which was his
only decoration-the cross
Thrown partly around him and forming a
strong Reubenistic background was rich scar
let glowing cloak of wooden fabric. This cloak
was lined with purple and its cape and edges
trimmed with tiny border of gold bullion lace
On his head was little white skull cap His
feet were encased in red slippers with cross en-
broidered in gold thereon. These slippers are so
made that they are really anklecOvering shoes
the upper parts being of white satin lined with
wool and fitting loosely. Thus a heavy express
sion is given to the feet. Approaching his Holt
ness you kueel and kiss the ring on his extended
hand lie sm1llngly requests you to rise and
then enters into an easy style of conversation in
the French language. Atfrst he dwes on your
name, aud if he has heard it before he surely re
members it. To me he spoke Of England and by
and by Of America.
1.-THE oneness of language in your country is
a potent lever ON the fulcrum of your united
nation, Ts.said the Pope "and the oneness of
American thought and sentiment is a great in
fiuence to a perpetuation of this unity. Your
good bishops lately visiting US emphasized the
integral parts of a great whole, and may the
Great Giver of all graces strengthen this unity
among you. We hope the Americans will con-
tinue always Americans" said he.
He then asked me if l knew Archbishop Glib
bons. and on my saying l had briefly met his
Grace for the first time in Rome, his Holiness, in
a most fervid and smiling manner, said over
and over again, in these exact words: 'Je Jaime
beaucoup Gibbons; je Jaime beaucoup, beaucoup
Gibbons
The Pope entered into the question of educa-
ton of the colored people in America with a
marked interest asking several questions which
I at once saw indicated recent study of the
subject. In each case of an inquiry being met
with IN assuring answer on my part evidently in
harmony with previous answers from higher au
thorites, his Holiness said: "Ciod bless the poor
blacks; their souls are to be made white, too
God bless them!r