Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-10-12
BISHOP AT VATICAN.
A VERMONT PRELATE VISITS POPE
LEO AT ROME


Saw Passion Play at Oberammergau-
Headed Pilgrimage of Americans.
RI. Rev. Bishop Michaud was seen by
a Burlington News representative and in
a half hours pleasant conversion talked
entertainingly of his visit to Rome, Paris,
and other cities and countries of the old
world
The Bishop sailed from New York city
early in July, going direct to Naples.
After visiting Pompei and the Island of
Capri he went to Rome. He was with a
party of l7G Americans who went on the
annual pilgrimage to visit the Pope at
Rome and pay their respects to him.
Bishop Michaud was the first bishop to
accompany a similar pilgrimage and in
recognition of which he was decorated
by the international Society of the Jubi-
lee Year with two gold medals aud
another which WAS special decoration
designed by Leo NH. and given by him.
From Rome the Bishop went to Venice
and 10 the Island of Lido. He also Wis
tied PAdul, the Eastern Alps and thence
10 Munich. IL was greatly impressed
with the Passion Play. the production of
which he witnessed at Oberammergau
Other cities of historic interest which the
party visited were Lucerne, Geneva and
Bordeaux. 1t was estimated that the
members of the pilgrimage when they
reached the Paris Exposition had travel
led about 1000 miles by rail.
On the Goth of July at high noon the
Bishop in company with the Others of
the pilgrimage was given an audience
with the Pope, who received them very
cordially and spoke for half an hour.
Afterward the whole group was photo
graphed. The bishop was given a place
of honor to the right of the Pope.
1.-THE Pope promised his remarks by
speaking of his extreme solicitude which
went out to all peoples of the world
Europe on account of its hierarchy and
age and America and other Young ma
tons because of the intense life mani
tested and their democracy. The Pope
is impregnated with democratic leas
and is always eager to hear news from
the United States from whatever source,
Catholic or nOn-Catholic. lie never tires
of listening TO speakers from the Unite
States, which country he calls strong
and vigorous with young people in poll
tics and religion. He describes US as
having strong personality. He testi-
fled to the great love that.he felt for the
Church in America and told us to go
back and make it known to all, He ad
mires our government and feels and
knows that all have the liberty to do
good and understands well that this is
the only true meaning of liberty"
The Pope is quite strong and vigor-
Gus and is able to walk without assist
ance. If he lives until March ,. 1901,
he will be 81 years of age. Not since a
dangerous operation was performed two
has he been so well.
When Bishop Michaud saw him In 1895
he was bent over and was feeble. The
change in his appearance is great and if
present indications prove anything he is
destined to yet live many years. His
mental faculties are still unimpared.
Bishop Michaud visited the Paris EX-
position three times. lie says that it did
not come up to his expectations. 1t was
too much spread and covered too much
area. Outside of the colonial exhibits
and the machinery and electrical works
it was not to be compared with the
Worlds Fair. The French are not salts.
fed with the exhibits OF the United
States, but they feel gratitied at the mum
Der of American visitors to the fair. 1t
is the Consensus of opinion among
/ Il In ish h.t
practically boycOtted the exposition
The ostensible reason is said to be be-
cause Of the expenses of the Boer war
and the heavy taxes.
During the stay in Paris the Bishop
was the guest of one of the archbishops,
who gave him several ancient pieces of
money. He brought home as souvenirs
many relies of Rome and some very val
liable curios. Among them is piece of
Phoenician money, the Oldest in the
world. 1t is IA thy bit of money and
contains picture of an Indian chief.
Much of this money is found in the eXca-
walton of the ancient city of Tyre.
The Bishop was questioned as to pos
sible changes In the city of Rome since
| his visit five years ago. Among the i'm
provements mentioned by him were the
widening of the streets, and the advent
of the electric trolley car. The hotel ac.
commodations have been much improved,
and the people as whole are very
orderly. The city has grown but slowly
of late years. The living and prosperity
of it is dependent principally upon the
traffic of pilgrims who come and go, es-
peclally during the winter months, to see
the monuments of Caesar, Nero and
other ancient notables, and to aid them
in making easy the studies in archaeology
and Roman history. The Bishop OBJ
served the want of manufacturing in
! dustres in and around Rome, stating the
reason to be the want of coal necessary
to run successfully manufacturing
plants. Italy must ever remain a vine
growing and agricultural state.
On the journey home from Havre the
|.N..