Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-23
A FAREWELL AUDIENCE
Granted Gov. Taft and Party by Pope
Leo at the Vatican.

Rome. July 22.-The Pope received Gov
ernor Taft and the me mbers of his party
in farewell audience, 1T noon MONDAY. Inc
Americans drove in two carriages lroin
their hotel to the Vatican. Judge smith
and Judge Taft wore evening dress, MAJOR
Porter was in full uniform and Bishop
O'Gorman wore ecclesiastical robes. Ihey
were received at the great door by the
Swiss guards who rendered military hon
ors At the foot of the great staircase
the Americans were met by Manager Bis
lett master of ceremonies, who was ac.
comDanied by several other dignltarieS OIL
the Papal court. At the door of the pom
tifical apartments the noble guards and
gendarmeS rendered customary honors,
after which Governor Taft ana ms com
panions were introduced into the pres
ence of the Pope who welcomed them
with marked cordiallty.
| 10 mark his satisfaction at the success
of the negotiations the Pope presented
each member of Governor Taft's party
with a personal gift enclosing in mag
nificent morocco case adorned with the
Papal arms. Gov. Taft got gold goose
/ quill of exquisite workmanship with Pope
! Leo's coat of arms on the feather. 10
! Bishop O'Gorman was presented pecto-
/ raj cross set with rubies and amethysts
and having a cameo center bearing the
| figure of the Virgin surrounded with
! pearls. Judge Smith and Major Porter
| both received a gold jubilee medal. The
! Pope gave Mrs. TAFT an enamel produc-
ton of ancient painting of Saint Ursula
surrounded by virgins.
The Americans were ushered into the
private library and as the door was opel-
ed the Pope went half way. to meet them
and greeted Gov: Taft with the greatest
cordially. He commenced the interview
by saying he was most satisfied and hap
Ply at the results obtained and was conf
| Dent that the negotiations would be the
starting point of a complete and satlSfac-
| tory solution of the question under dis
cussion. He added that the apostolic Gel-
| egate soon to be appointed would be IN
| -t1I toll nd -
garding carrying out the ideas determine
upon by the United States and the Vail
can, saying:
to his work, over which L Will watch per-
| sonally."
Turning the conversation the Pope ex-
| pressed the highest esteem for American
methods of treating church matters. In
fact he had more than once pointed t.
the United States as setting an example
well worth copying.
Gov. Taft thanked the Pope Tor the
promptness and courtesy shown during
his visit and promised cooperation with
the apostolic delegates in executing the
business on the lines agreed upon at
| Rome. He expressed regret at the fact
that the negotiations had been made the
| occasion for the circulation of false and
even caluminOus rumors in various papers
and by some Geographic agencies which
| had given rise to unfavorable comment
| upon the Vatican. The Pope also protest
| cd against such false reports, but he phil
CSOphicaliy declared tnat Dy TINS Tune ne
was accustomed to that kind of misrep-
| resentation.
/ The Pontiff the rose with unusual ac-
tivity. walked with the Americans to ths
| opposite side of the room and showed
them the Mosaic which he is sending tC
President Roosevelt in return for the
/ Presidents present of a box containing
his (Mr. RCosevelt's) literary works.
The mosaic is a copy of Corridi's well
known picture of Pope Leo sitting On The
| terrace of the Vatican gardens survey
ing Rome. 1t was made in the Vatican
workshops.
The Pope then gave Bishop O'Gormar
an autograph letter to President Roose
| welt.
Members of Gov. Taft's party asked the
Pope to bless several boxes of rosaries
and other religious mementoes, which His
Holiness did most willingly. adding thai
his benediction was extended to all thei,
religions and friends.
After 40 minutes audience, in which the
conversation was entirely carried on II
French, Bishop O'Gorman and Maj. Por-
ter translating. the Pope saw the Amen
cans to the door of the library.
| Gov. Taft and his companions then call
cd on the Papal secretary of state. Cardi-
nal Rampolla. with whom they exchanged
somewhat similar courtesieS.
Later. Gov. Taft. accompanied by Judge
Smith and Capt. Strother, left Rome fol
| Naples.