The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-06
AMERICA FAVORED.
A Succession of Honors Result
ing from Change of Popes.

Rome, Aug. 6.-The Associated Press
representative has been received in au-
dience by Pope Plus, being the first |
journalist of any nationality TO have
this honor The pontiff graciously
granted the prayer of the correspondent
to send message to the American peo-
pie saying, word for word:
I love the Americans who are the |
blooming youth of Catholicism. Convey |
to all of them how gladly 1 impart my |
apostolic blessing to the whole coun-
try"
America enjoyed the honor of first an
nouncing, through the Associated Press |
the accession of the present pontiff to |
the chair of St. Peters and Americans |
enjoyed the privilege and honor of being |
the first among those of many other /
countries who were to follow to convey |
to his holiness the homage of the ma |
tons. The American pilgrimage. conduct |
ed by John j. McGrane of New York |
and Father Lynch of Niagara university |
of Buffalo, New York, which left the |
United States for its journey to Rome |
to receive the blessing of Leo XIII, ar |
rived while the conclave was sitting. Its |
members fingered until the nevertobe- |
forgotten moment when the election of
the new pope was announced and then |
decided reluctantly to leave. But it was |
with tears of disappointment at not
having been able to see the holy father
that the pilgrims packed and strapped
their luggage and sent it to the station. /
hurried luncheon preparatory to leav-
ing, Mr.. McGrane, with radiant face,
burst in waving paper and almost
dancing in excitement.
you shall see him; you shall see
him. he cried. "Our cardinal has ar
ranged it"
Cardinal Gibbons had been asked to
try to arrange for the reception of the
Americans and had promised to do his
best at the same time explaining how
unprecedented it would be for pope,
the day after his election to receive
foreign pilgrimage when there were
scores of high dignitaries who had not
yet been admitted, even the diplomatic
| body. Nevertheless, he used his lnfu-
ence with the happieSt result and Sc
cured the consent of the pope to re-
ceive his fellow countrymen. Their lug
gage was hastily brought back from the
station in order that they might appear
in proper apparel and at 5;45 in the
evening all were at the bronze doors of
the vatican. They were met by Mgr
| Kennedy, rector of the American col
| lege whose presence was quite SUI
ficient to make the Swiss guard step
back, present arms and give entrance
to all They trooped up the high stair
way, one hundred strong, and on
through the corridors. bending their
heads to pass through the openings in
the walls which had been erected for the
conclave. Bricks were still lying about
on the f1agstones. Through the beauti-
full loggia of Raphael they passed to
the unique hall of inscriptions where
1 halt was called. After a considerable
wait there was a murmured Hush,
Hush and two Swiss guards entered
/ from a corridor. Before the pilgrims
could quite realize it the pope stood
among them Plus X is a little taller
/ than Cardinal Gibbons. giving, however,
| the impression OBJ being much larger
man. as he is inclined to stoutness. He
has abundant hair with no signs of
badness, dark, clear eyes. handsome
features and magnificent voice. low In
tone to which is added a peculiar
grace due to his Venetian accent From
his whole person emanated great De-
nightly and cOrdiality.
He walked slowly but with the firm
ness of a young man along the long
kneeling line, accompanied by Cardinal
Gibbons and Mgr. Kennedy, and gave to
each of the pilgrims as he passed his
hand to be kissed. He spoke few
words to almost every one P1uX X
was arrayed completely in white, with
! out a CLEAN of color except that which
4 sparkled from the huge emerald on his
finger. Cardinal Gibbons was on his
right. in red robes, and Mgr Kennedy
on his left in purple. They. were pre-
and followed by members of the noble
guard The moving group was set of
by the kneeling women, who were all
! in black their wOmanlineSs made more
apparent by the black lace wells which
4 hung from their hair. The men wore
dress suits and the priests black gowns.
1 Pope Plus X appeared to be very much
interested when Father Lynch presented
| to him a box containing white zuc-
| Ghetto saying I'VE would be extremely
gratified if your holiness would accept
| this gift in exchange for the one you
wear"
II will cheerfully do so,'' the pope re-
Piled
Thereupon Mgr Bisleti lifted the zuc-
Ghetto which the pope wore from his
head and replaced it with the one
which had been presented by Father
Lynch. Mr.. McGrane handed to Plus X
the Offering which the pilgrims hastily
put together after luncheon today the
pope spoke especially to the members
of the Lante family of Philadelphia to
Rev. John E. Burke, pastor of the
Church of st. Benedict the Moor of
! New York, to Father Wall, who express
" represented Archbishop Farley, and
to Rev. James Roger Matthews of Wash
iDgton.
To Father Burke he gave special
benediction for the colored people. DC
casionally as the pope passed along he
laid his hand upon the head of one of
| the pilgrims. When Plus reached the
persons who waved two flags yesterday
at ST. Peters and who were carrying
them today he exclaimed: Cara Cara
| America, dear America - forty-four
stars eh?" When he reached the last
person in the line he turned and while
| all the pilgrims knelt he gave the apos-
tolic blessing, ending with the words:
Il recommend myself to your pious
prayers"
1t was a moment of intense emotion
| and scarcely was an eye dry.
Cardinal Gibbons upon leaving the
| vatican said that he had been delighted
to present the American pilgrimage 20
| the new pope under such a happy cir
cumstance.