The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-07
COCHRAN AND THE POPE
AN ELOQUENT PEN-PICTURE OF THE
HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
A Broad and Liberal POntifY, Who Ex-
presses Sympathy and Affection
for the American People.
New York World.

A1"i OP0 week ago yesterday, mas given to
the World the following brilliant account
of his visit to the Vatican:
The persistent circulation of that re-
port, said he, lin the face of numerous
denials. illustrates the wonderful vitality
OF a lie. When 1 decided to visit Rome
last winter I secured letters of introduc-
ton to some prominent ecclesiastics. in
Guiding two from Archbishop Corrigan.
To this extent, and to this extent only
was the archbishop in any way concerned
IN my movements.
Through the weight of these letters
and through the Intervention of Cardinal
Satolli, whose acquaintance l made in
washington, 1 was granted a private au-
dlence by the holy father. This favor
was granted as an act of courtesy to a
visitor from a very distant land There
was nothing significant or unusual about
II. 1t is favor which nothing but the
demands made on his strength by the
multltarious duties of his sacred office
prevents the Pope from granting more fire.
quently."
Was the difference of opinion among
the ecclesiastical authorities in this coun-
try on the question of education mentioned
in your conversation with the Pope?"
KNOWS OF NO DIFFERENCE.
IL there be any such differences of opin-
ION am ignorant of them, and l am de-
termined to remain ignorant of them.
am personally acquainted with all the dis
tlnguished prelates whose names have been
mentioned by the newspapers as taking one
side or the other of the so-called contro-
Versy, and there is not one whom 1 do not
hold in high esteem, while Archbishop Cor
rgan is not merely the spiritual head of
the diocese to which L belong, but he is
also friend to whom l am warmly at
tached.
The personal virtues of these prelates
no man questions, and if there be divisions
of opinion among them that fact shows the
zeal for faith and morals by which they are
animated, and doubtless in good time they
will reach a common ground on which their
views will be reconciled. Certainly l have
neither the disposition to interfere with
them nor the presumption to think that 1
could assist them.
Il have always felt that it is the duty of
a Catholic to obey the voice of authority
when it speaks on subjects with which it is
competent to deal, and while authority is
preparing to speak l do not think it is we'll
for laymen to lntrude on it's deliberations
attempt to disturb the processes by which
ii will reach a final judgment.
But" added Mr.. Cochran, while mat
tiers in any way controversial were scru-
piously avoided, l think l can say with per-
feet sincerity that my audience was the
most interesting experience of my life
Don't you think that the best way to
refute untruStW worthy reports of your inter-
view would be to state exactly what oc-
curred?"
Il have no doubt about it, but then to
admit that is to establish an easy method
by which any one may be coerced into
discussing matters in the press which are
Of personal rather than of public interest.
However, as these reports AFFECT other per
sons beside myself l will follow your adj
vice and tell you as nearly as l can ex
actly what occurred.
After passing through some stately
apartments hung with famous tapestries,
where several members of the Pontifical
Guard, in full uniform, guarded the door
ways, l was ushered into a small room, my
name was announced and the door inn
mediately closed behind me- This room
was furnished with great simplicity AT
the other end of the room on a platform
raised about six inches 1 saw slight figure
clothed in a white cassock and white skull
cap. Bowling the knee once at the door
The Pontif, for it was he, extended his
hand with cordial words of welcome and
babe me rise and take seat at his right.
1T is difficult to describe his appearance,
but at the first glance ii is easy to under
stand the remarkable effect which he pro-
duces on all who come in contact with
him. | am not easily impressed by men.
Wherever [ have met the occupant of great
ONCE L nave usually De6n puZZl6u 10 dC-
count for his elevation. have generally
found that if the chest of the great be i'm
posing the back is apt to be hollow, and
as l have frequently stood behind the chair
Of greatness 1 do not think L am likely TO
be much affected by any pomp and circum-
stance which may surround it.
But of the present Pope IT may be SAID
in absolute sincerity that he fills, amply
and completely, the throne which he occu-
pies. Fully mindful of its history, bridg
ing as it does the chasm between the Rome
of Tiberius and the Rome of Leo XIII, l
believe l am speaking the language of mod
GRAFTON when | say that the most interest
ing thing about the papacy is the Pope.
NEVER LOSES HIS DIGNITY.
His frame, spare and almost emaciated,
gives you the feeling that every particle OF
flesh which might have maintained a base
or sordid thought haas been discarded in
fasting and prayer. His manner never loses
the majesty which becomes the pontiff
whose word is more powerful than the
edict of any monarch, but it is always
marked by extreme gentleness and at times
by tenderness which is quite paternal. His
voice, vibrant and sOnorous, is sweet and
eXQuiStely mOdulated.
LAS he becomes animated in conversa-
ton his eyes glow with such a singular
luster and his face assumes such an ether
cal expression that you can hardly realize
you are talking to man of flesh and blood,
and it almost seems as If you We're in the
presence of spiritual flame incloSed in
a corporal form.
His questions showed a close familiarity
with our government and with the social
and economic questions which must be
solved under democratic institutions. He
spoke much of his desire for a reunion of
all Christian churches, and asked me if the
various sects in this country were animated
by any feeling Of hostility to each other.
| answered that SO far l judge no change
of opinion in this country during the last
twenty-five years was marked as the de-
cline of sectarian prejudice.
"Ie asked me to what / attributed this
most gratifying change and l answered
that among the many causes which might
be assigned for it none in my judgment was
so important as his own personality; for,
while there were but ten millions of Amer
leans who acknowledged the authority Of
his sacred office and obeyed it, there were
seventy millions who recognized his per-
SOlal virtues and admired them.
The Americans, l said, are a practical
people, who approve every institution
through spiritual other influences, and
they are convinced that a church which
chose for her head the possessOr of such
conspicuous virtues must be powerful
agency for the promotion OF civilization
through the defense of morals.
Leaning forward in his chair, he struck
his breast with a singularly impressive
gesture and said: I would gladly take to
my bosom the whole world and embrace it
in the holy Catholic faith. not for any BEN
vance the welfare of men in this world and
promote their prospects of happiness in the
next The Catholic Church is universal
and the whole world is dear to me, but your
country lies especially close to my heart
The Catholic Church has shown here in the
old world for nineteen centuries that it is
not merely a depository for spiritual truth,
but that as it was in the beginning the
But if the history of the Catholic
Church lies in Europe its future lies in