The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-22
Presented Each Member Of
Party With Msnent
MEETING WAS MOST CORDIAL
His Holiness Shows Americans the
Mosaic He Is Sending to Presi-
dent Roosevelt-ls a Beau
tiful Work of Art.

Rome, July H.-The Pope received
Governor Taft and the members of his
Rarty in farewell audience at noon to-
Ny The Americans drove in two car
riages from their hotel to the vatican.
Judge Taft and Judge Smith wore even
ing dress as prescribed by etiquette,
Major Porter was in full uniform and
Bishop o'Gorman wore ecclesiastical
robes
They were received at the great door
of the vatican by the Swiss guards, who
rendered military honors At the foot
of the state staircase the Americans
were met by Monsignor Bisli manager of
the ceremonies, who was accompanied by
several other dignitaries of the Papal
court At the door of the pontifical
apartments the noble guards and gen.
darmes rendered the customary honors,
after which Governor Taft and his COM
panions were introduced into the pres
ence of the Pope, who welcomed them
with marked cordiality.
To mark his satisfaction sFs the success
of the negotiation, the pope presented
each member of Governor Taft's party
with personal gift enclosed in mag
nificent morocco case adorned with the
apal arms. Governor Taft got gold
goose quill of exquisite workmanship,
with Pope Leos coat Of arms on the
feather. To Bishop O'Gorman was pre-
scented a pictorial cross set with rubies
and amethysists. and having cameo CEN
ter bearing the figure of the Virgin, sur
rounded with pearls. Judge Smith and
Major Porter both received a gold jub-
ilee medal. The pope gave Mrs. Taft an
enamel reproduction of the ancient paint
irg of Saint Ursula, surrounded by vir-
gins
Pope Meets Them.
The Americs ms were ushered into the
private library and so soon as the door
was opened the pope went half way to
meet them and greeted Governor Taft
with the greatest cordiality. The pontilf
commenced the interview by saying he
was most satisfied and happy at the
result obtained and was confident that
the negotiations would be the starting
point of a complete and satisfactory
solution OF the question under discussion.
He added that the apostolic delegate
soon to be appointed would be instruct
ed most strictly and precisely regarding
carrying out the ideals determined upon
by the United States and the vatican,
saying:
Il will see that orders be given him as
to his work, over which will watch him
personally
Turning the conversation the Popo ex-
pressed the highest esteem of American
methods of treating church matters. In
fact, he had more than cnce pointed
toward the United States as setting an
example worth copying.
Mr.. Taft thanked the Pope for the
afr and CHI II I,,,.
ing his visit and promised cooperation
with the apostolic delegate In executing
the business on ths lines agreed upon at
Rome. He expressed regret at the fact
that the negotiations had been made the
occasion of the circulation of false and
even caluninious runors in various papers
and by some telegraphic agencies, which
had given rise to unfavorable comments
upon the vatican. The Pope also protested
against such false reports, but he
prcphetically declared thnt by this time
he was accustomed to that kind of mis-
representation.
Showed Them the Mosaic.
The pontiff then rose with unusual ac-
tivity, walked with the Americans to
the opposite room and showed them the
mosaic. which he is sending to President
Roosevelt In return for the President s
present of box containing his (Mr.
Roosevelt's) literary work. The mosaic
IS copy of Coryd's we'll known picture
of Pope Leo sitting on the terrace of
the vatican gardens surveying Rome. 1t
was made in the vatican workshops
The Pope then gave Bishop O'Gorman
an autograph letter to President Roose-
welt
Members of Governor Taft's party ask
ed the pope to bless several boxes of
rosaries and other religious mementoes.
which his holiness did most willingly,
adding that his benediction was extended
to all their relations and friends.
After an audience of forty minutes in
which the conversation was carried on
entirely in French, Bishop OGorman and
Major Porter transla ing, the pope saw
the Americans to the door of the library.
Governor Taft and his companions then
called on the papal secretary of state,
Cardinal Rampolla, with whom they ex-
changed somewhat similar courtesies.
Later Governor Taft accompanied by
Judge Smith and Captain Strother, left
Rome for Naples.
CHESS TOURNAMENT.