The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
nA1lY LIFE OF POPE Plus x.
non THE NEW HEAD or CATHOL-
JCJsW DOES HIS WORK.
ans, From In the Morning Tiil 10 at
>,xht - Method I'm Church Govern.
pcnt-Walks IN the vatican Gardens
,ud Terraces -AnabIIity 10 Visitors.

urer his valet. young Sill, enters the Popes
h0droon little after o'clock the Pope Is
almost always UP and reciting his
Lrayiarv. At q he celebrates mass in the
lt,,lo orntory, arranged Immediately after
h;s elevation to the Papal throne. The
oratory ia quickly described. Opposite
tho window is a wooden altar, and above
!; fastened to the wall, is an ivory crucifix.
six bronze candlesticks are placed ON
other side OF modest tabernacle Of carved
wood, gilded. The altar rests on q rug
which covers half the room. In this there
are also a prie-dieu and gilded arm
chair. a wardrobe for the utensils IL on
the right From the middle Of the oratory
hangs a chandelier Of the exquisite Murano
glass. The furniture OF the oratory Ia quiet
hut tasteful.
Since the day Of his coronation Plus K.
has never failed to say mass. On the day
after his elevation. az the oratory was not
ready, it was thought that the Pope would
abstain from the celebration; but with
the modesty that characterizes him he
declared that the Pope could surely cole
brate mass As the Cardinal did, and going
into the picture gallery he said mass at
one of the affairs that had been erected
for the use of the Conclave.
When Plus Y. says mass it Is usually
served by his private secretary and Lasts
half an hour. Then, having removed his
vetmente, the Pope kneels on his prie-
dieu and listens devoutly to the mass Of
thanksgiving Next the Pope breaks his
fast. with cup Of coffee merely.
Tall ~ ~nk
is no. too great Plus X. goes down into
the gardens, where he likes to walk, stop
ping to enjoy the GOODNESS Of the shady
paths or TO look at the magnificent flower
beds and the countless variety Of plants.
Meanwhile he chats withthe Secret Cham
berlain on duty and with the officer Of the
Guardia Mobile The Holy Father never
fails to go and pray at the Srotto Of Our
Lady OF Lourdes; he has taken special
care to do so in these last days, as he wished
10 associate himself in spirit with the pill
grmage undertaken by Italian Catholics
to the greatest sanctuary that France has
dedicated to the Holy Virgin.
In the verdure Of the splendid Vatican
gardens Plus X. finds pleasant distraction
from his cares, and he does not hide the
fact; but serious occupations call him
back to his private apartments, 30 that
his walk cannot last more than An hour.
In his study he finds the analysis Of the
days correspondence, which in very volum-
nous and to which he gives UP some
time Then he receives the reports OF the
various congregations and gives an en-
Ightened judgment on all important,
complicated or doubtful questions. Plus X.
cannot bear oarelsssness, lack Of order,
of regularity or Of exactness. Extremely
conscientious, he does not despise the
smallest details.
Next comes Mgr. Merry Del Val, pro-
Secretary Of State, and his Holiness studies
with him the delicate and difficult relations
with foreign Governments. After that the
official receptions, whether private or for
business, begin. According to the day Of
the week or OF the month stated audiences
are granted to the Monsignor major domo,
to the Cardinals, to the various con grega-
tons, to the secretaries and to the high
officials, but 1t is the special audiences that
tire the Pope most, though he grants
them rather freight is the st ream Of visits
from Bishops, prelates, Ambassadors, rep
resentatives Italian or foreign persons OF
note. With one'it means merely an inter.
view, with another a matter OF business
10 be settled or question to be decided
he encourag es, comforts. blesses all.
His af1ability has already won all hearts
10 Plus X. Those who come in contact
with him speak Of him as Of father. II
suffices TO stand for few minutes In an
i IL ,bo frcy
an audience. especially II 1t he the first
one they have obtained, to see what affec.
ZION the Pope inspires at once. The faces
Of all beam with Joy, many even weep
with emotion.
The other day an old preate from north
italy. coming from an audience, stopped
a. is the custom, In the hall called the Equer'
RES Hall, in order to lay aside the violet
cloak, in accordance with etiquette. While
the servant was helping him the prelatf
was so worked up that he could not hold
hack his tears. The servant. rather alarmed
asked him the cause Of his emotion The
prelate's answer was overheard III
you could have the happiness of speak
Ing to Plus X. you would be as much moved
a. Il am That man is a saint
Toward noon the Pope dimes: after that
very frugal meal he takes short nap IN
hs bedroom, a rest that does not last more
than an hour. Then he begins to recite his
brevary again and takes up his other
occupations. At Q in the evening, ac-
conpanied by Don Peecini, the intelligent
and sympathetic young priest who for the
moment takes the place OF Mgr. Bressan
as the Pope's private secretary; by Mgr
Rislet, the Chamberlain, and by Sill. he
takes a walk in the third loggia, where some
unknown artist painted the geographical
charts Of his time and where Mantovani
Cali and Consoni decorated the ceiling
and painted some episodes Of Plus IKE
pontifcate.
Usually when the Pope comes out on the
loggia he finds there some twenty persons
men and women, mostly strangers come tc
Rome in order to kiss the Popes foot. He
talks for a few minutes with all, astonishing
all present not only by his marvellous
knowledge Of facts, even of little impor
lance but also with the extreme kindness
end paternal 8miability with which ht
receives the visitors
When the audiences are over. the Pops
remains alone with his secretary, the door,
opening on the loggia are closed, or, IL
case for the sake OF air they are not closed
guard is placed at every entrance u
keep people out. Then the Pope Is wholly
free and walks up and down talking will
the secretary. Often he recalls his owr
Venice looks AT the paintings and decora