The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-01-08
THE POPE'S DIAMOND MASS.

| the recipient OF rich presents from dis
tinguished personages. The emperor
OF Austria sent him $4,000 ilorins in
gold in a gold casket, and the Queen
/ Regent OF Spain sent a massive gold
and jeweled goblet His gift from the
United States was u diamond cross
President Farre, of France, sent six
Sevres vases. and the Sultan Of Tur-
key Il superb diamond ring. Every
| country sent a large contribution in
Peters pence. Fully 5000 delegates
from Catholic societies attended the
celebration and were received by the
Pope on his throne, after officiating at
tho diamond mass
At this time a sketch Of the great
pontiff Is in order. He is CT noble birth
| and was born on March 9, 1910, being a
year younger than Mr.. Gladstone Omit
ting his early career, whic;l was dis
tinguished, we will speak of him as tho
successor OF Plus TX. With the as
cension Of Pope Leo to the pontilcal
throne came a new era in The history
Of the church. Papal hatred had in a
measure died out, but like his prede-
cessor, Leo did not stand with Che new
government of Italy. Neither did he
stand against 1t, but. like Plus, he re-
tired TO the Vatican.
With an ever ready inclination to
WI >fp
est, Leo. at the time of his becoming
Pope. had become thorough man OF
the world. He is far sighted and lin
lnmatic to point which has seldom
been reached by a Pope OF the Roman
church. There is Il great deal of tire
practical about him, and, being wont to
analyZe the dispositions of people and
races, while he positively refuses TO
give sanction to the new political con-
ditions, his policy is one OF conrilja-
ton.
The first great struggle which had to
be taken up by Leo was the battle he
mad to wage against Prince Bismarck.
1t was the Kuter-kampf or the strug-
gle about the education Of Catholics
"ilhlh the German empire. This great
struggle commenced during the papary
OF PNps Plus IX., but was brought to
an end soon after the ascension OF Leo.
Perhaps nothing in the career of This
great man so brought out his Dip
lomacy and cleverness as did this con-
test with one Of Europes greatest dip
lomats of the present age. 1t was a
struggle between state and church, and
while Bismarck saw 1t from d political
point of view, the Pope was iaboring
from an entirely different stanupoint-
that of the church.
Ever laborng with religious zeal, yet
never giving up a vital point, this Dat
tie, between two OF the most skillful
diplomats that the world ever knew.
was carried through to the end with a
concllatory policy on the part OF the
Pope and was eventually settled to tho
satisfaction OF both the church and the
German empire. Throughout the strup-
S'| si'S ! my DtOuSlL 10 pear on every
controversy that temper and tone OF
calm reason which was one OF his chief
characteristics. He dcspaired Of noih-
lrg, yet he gave every one a chance.
And invariably he appealed to what is
better in the heart of man.
The interest and activity which tn,
Pep" took in the struggle CT The Irish
for home rule is but another evidence
OF his unbiased willingness TO do all
III his power as head Of the Roman
clllrch for the good of humanity. Led
at first to intervene in behalf of tina
landlord class. he later changed ILL.,,
views and did equally as much for tho
struggling peasantry.
An interesting Illustration of tho
gccd feeling which prevailed between
the Pope and the government of the
United States was offered on the ocras-
ION of Pope Lco's saccrdota Jubilee.
President Cleveland sent to tie ponc
IL maEniicen'ly bound copy of the
American Constitution. 1t was sent
through Cardinal Gibbons, ana MIR.
Cleveland asked the cardinal 10 have
1t forwarded to the Pope. with the en-
preston OF the personal sentiments OF
regard felt toward the head of tho
Catholic church by the president of tae
United States. The Offering of Mr..
Cleveland and the letter OF Cardinal
Gibbons were handed TO the Pope bv
an American deputation The Poac
said some graceful and touching words
in reply:
IN your country" he observed, "men
enjoy liberty in the true sense of the
word. guaranteed as it is by that Con-
stitution of which you have given ne
copy. In your country religion is free
to extend, every day, more and more
the empire of Christianity, and the
church is free to develop its benefcen,
action. Your country has before 1t 2
future full of hope. your government,
IS strong. and the character of VOW
president arouses my most genuine adj
miration"
Though Pope Leo is within three
months of being SO years old he is II
good health and shows no signs of men
tai decay. He is one of the most com