The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-09
AE A&4:
THE PoPE's TRIPLE JUBILEE.
When Leo Ends the Year Which He Has Begun His Record Will Be Oniuue

Rome Letter in The London Telegraph.
 Today Feb. 20) began the jubilee or twenty-f1fth year of the pontihcate of Leo XIII but the celebrations were mere ly prelude to the great functions which will take place on March 3. At noon the Pope received deputations of those con- cerned in organizing the different pilgrim ages which will be made on the occasion of the jubilee. His Holiness amazed every body by his vigor and the pleasure he evinced in the arrangements which have been made in his honor. He showed par ticular interest in the medals of gold. sil- yer and bronze which have been struck in the commemoration of his jubilee.
 Addressing the deputations. the Pope said that 1t was with the utmost joy that he was able to announce. that all the Flu. ropean eovereigns were sending special missions to Rome.
 In the afternoon a Te Deum was sung in the Vatican. Twenty-three Cardinals were present. their red robes offering a most pleasing contrast to the black hab- Its of the crowds of priests. It is esti- bled in the basilica.
 After the ceremony there was an i'm. promptu demonstration. The pope had | gone to a window overlooking the piazza | of St. Peter's to see the people come out of the church. His Holiness was rec 1 ognszed. and In a twinn,lng the piazza was crowded with people futtering their handkerchiefs. waving their hats and
 
 Leo XIII is the two hundred and fifty seventh occupant of the chair of St. Pe- ter, and of that long line of Popes only two others have entered upon the twenty fifth year of their pontifcate These were St. Peter himself. according to tradi- tion, and Leo's predecessor. Plus TX. whose tenure of the See of Rome extend ed to thirty-one years seven months and twenty-two days It was on February 20. 1s.s, that Vincent Joachim Pecci, by a majority of four votes. was elected as Supreme Head of the Roman Catholic Church, the triple tiara being placed up- on his brow on March 3. His Holiness was born at Carpineto on March 2, 1910, and had, accordingly, entered his sixty ninth year when the coronation ceremony was performed. Dr. Lapponi, the Pope's physician. has expressed the opinion that should only natural causes be in opera tion. that is to say. apart from any ae- cident, His Holiness may yet live to be a centenarian. Leo himself has the fullest confidence In his own longevity, and in this connec- ton an interesting anecdote Is related. young journalist had secured the privi- lewe of presentation to His Holiness. Asked what attracted him, a Protestant journalist. to the Eternal City, the young prepare for the Conclave. Then" re- piled the Pontiff. you may take a long holiday, for there will be no Conclave for a good time to come On another occa- Sion. frencn blsHop was making HIS visit lad limina" On taking leave of the Holy Father he expressed the fear that this would be his last farewell as, at the Pope's great age, he could hardly expect to find him in the chair of St. Peter when he made his next canonicai visit. And when do you hope to come to us again?' asked the Pope Alas! Holy Father replied the prelate. it may not be till seven whole years are past" If so God spare your life. my brother" rejoined Leo gravely, "come back in seven years time; you will find me here.' Only a few weeks ago the Bishop came again.
 If the present Pope lives until 1903 he will have celebrated a triple jubilee. This will be unique In the history of the Holy See. In the first place the Holy Father will keep his diamond jubilee in the Eps- copacy. He was ordained Archbishop of Damietta by Gregory XVI in 1S43. He will also hold his golden jubilee as Cardinal. for his hat was presented by Plus TX in 1853. Finally he will have celebrated his silver jubilee on the Papal Throne this coming spring.