Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-27
A GRAND OLD MAN.
EIGHTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY OF HIS
HOLINESS, POPE LEO XIII.
CELEBRATION OF HIS JUBILEE
The Whole World Awaiting the
Magnificent Ceremonies Incident
to the Occasion-The Revered Head
of the Mother Church.

The attention Of the whole world, Chris
tian. agnostic, believer, and infdel, is
concentrated on the preparations now 60
ing on In Rome for the celebration Of the
jubilee of Pope Leo XIII. A frail, bent
little shadow Of a man, with sweet face,
and the general appearance Of belonging
more to another world than to this, he
undoubtedly attracts to-day more atten-
ton than the mighty potentates around
whose thrones bayonets bristle and
swords flash in loyal devotion.
Leo XIII. will be IS years old on March
%. Just one day later viii be the TWEEN
tieth anniversary Of his elevation to the
Apostolic chair. No wonder that deaths
mark is set on the man who has lived so
long and has been chief dignitary Of the
Roman Catholic Church for 50 many
years. They have been years Of devoted
attention to the welfare of the vast re-
ligious body of which he is the head and
honored father
HIS NEXT ENCYCLICAL
The Pope will give to the world an en-
cyclical at the coming jubilee that will
be 10 the churches of the universe what
Queen Victorias official utterances are to
the Brit h empire, or what the Inaugural
ton spec Do II a President OF the United
States is ~ the people Of this country
Leo XIII. vi counsel his people In loving
WORDS. he will outline the policy Of the
Church in its efforts 10 bring the scepu-
cal world to see eye to eye with it; he viii
point out the best paths for capital
and labor 10 take 10 ensure harmony
and peace: he will show how abuses car
be corrected, and, in word, how chris
tianity's influence, according 10 the HOY
Fathers experience, can be utilized lol
the betterment Of humanity. Not L
the religious world alone IS the message
of vital importance. The world that Il
not primarily religious will read the en-
cyclical with careful attention, for the
Pope Yields an influence possessed by nS
king or queen, of however mighty an EN-
pire. For the empire OF Leo XIII. Il
worldwide, and embraces the people OF
all nations and tongues.
This encyclical is Pope Leo's gift to the
world on tho occasion Of his Forthcoming
Jubilee The world will give 10 hin
treasures that, though 1T for a kings
ransom, can bring but a temporary ligh
20 the kindly eyes Of the delicate head o
the Catholic Cnurcns from the Iieal
dent OF the United States. and from rulers
great and small in every portion or Tn
earth will come messages Of congratula
lions and donations of the costliest descrip'
tion-gold and silver ornaments, diamonds
rare and costly gems. and priceless pres
ents. that are given TO the Pope becaus
no money could buy them, and so the!
become fitting gifts to the man VIII
values them not for their intrinsic worth
but for the spirit that prompts the pre-
sentation.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE JUBILEE
The preparations. It is reported, argu
that the jubilee Is 10 be the most mag
nlacept sn the history Of Church tina
Is famous for the splendor OF its cere
monies. Throughout Christendom Their,
will be minor services in celebration q
the event, but In the Vatican at Rom,
the services win be Of a magnitude tina
will set the world 10 marVeiling. ST
Peters Will be the scene Of services tina
rival even the splendid glitter Of recen
coronation ceremonies. and the light OF
the myriads Of candles IN the sacred edi
fee will shine upon a collection OF
magnihcensly apparalled w0rshipper,
composed Of the proudest nobility Of boil
Church and State.
Pilgrims are already pouring into Rom.
20 take part IN the celebration. Roya
S'r'sssries bearing the presents OF the