The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18
NO PoMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
SHOWS DISPOSITION TO RESTORE
EARLY SIMPLICITY TO CHURCH.
Has Undertaken Reorganization Of
Parishes In Rome and Has Ended
an UnseemIy Commerce.

fiction, and the belief is backed by the areu-
ment: II there was nothing 10 it. how will
you account for the fact that Plus, the we'll
heIoved"-for that is the new Popes popular
titIe-'lives mp to the injunctions issued by
the prince Of apostIes?'
As 10 the St Peters legend. your corre-
spondent has secured one OF the queer
pamphlets describing it in detail. Extracts
follow.
The first apostle approached his youngest
successor in the Vatican gardens the
morning after his installation at the Palace
Of the Popes. says the writer
st. Peter wore the garb of a fisherman
from the Adriatic coast and spoke in the
tongue OF the common people of Venice. sd-
dressing Plus follows:
'Beppi (abbreviation of the Pope's
Christian nameI. 'Beppi 1 come to thee be-
cause in heaven and on earth it is known
that thou hast a heart of gold and lowest
thy brethren. want to warn thee that my
poor barge which thou hast undertaken TO
steer is almost unseaworthy. All, Beppi, the
tears are rising to these old eyes when 1
think OF the misery confronting so many
good Catholics. while my successor is sur
rounded by all the riches and luxuries of
this earth.
thyself 10 be persuaded that the dignity of
the church demands a golden frame, that
pomp and circumstance are essential to its
hold on the masses. tell thee the church is
better of without il. Remember my own
pontificate; nothing could be more powerful,
yet simpler and poorer than the church OF
those days, yet L assure thee, dignity was
not lacking either.
Hear me, Beppi, the great Father, who
reads the hearts OF men. pronounces thee
person Of courage. To the courageous Beppi,
then, address my advice. Whenever a
form idea strikes thee, carry it out without
looking to the right or left. Do not consult
any one. but follow thine own good incIna-
tons And those most persistent IN persuad-
ing thee to do they think for the good of
the church, remove them from thy presence.
will watch thee from Paradise-thee
and my barge that glitters like pure gold.
but is, nevertheless. worm-eaten through
and through. And when, many years from
now, thou wilt hand back the rudder TO me,
let it be OF good old stout oak. sound TO the
core. Soundness. simplicity-I know these
words are music to thy ears. Be guided by
them in all thy official and private doings
and thou wilt never want for the blessings
and support OF the first of the apostles.
"Beppi," continues the pamphlet. listened
TO ST. Peters advice without a word. After
he had finished, st. Peter laid both hands on
the Popes head and was gone
The story OF the vision, which excites the
masses. and at the same time acts like a
balm on their grievances. is characterized
as idle trickery by the Liberals and Anti
clericals. who maintain that "St. Peter
was impersonated by certain Venetian
monk, having gained entrance to the Vati-
can gardens through the influence of his
many compatriots installed at the papal
palace in influential positions since Plus as
sumed the Holy See.
REPRESENTS COMMON PEOPLE.
A third vision is to the effect that the al
legged meeting between St. Peter and Plus
must be accepted in an allegorical sense.
Peter. IL IS argued, is the personiication OF
the Italian people from which Plus sprang
In other Pope, since times immemorial
have the people had such complete conf
dence in Plus. Hence. its determination
To hold speech with him direct, to warn him
of the dangers confronting the Holy See and
the great mass OF Catholics
Whether the vision is q mere fantasy or
indeed, was enacted with the aid of masque-
rade. it is impossible to say. certain il is
that the injunction against pomp and cere-
mony and monarchical state is followed by
Plus to the great discomfort OF Vatican
goldsticks.
I have told in former letters that Pope
Plus loosened the purse strings of his treas
Jury considerably for the benefit of Rome's
: poor and that he abolished the rule making
1t incumbent upon the Pope to take his
meals In solitude and silence, or else while
seated on a throne. so that he may look
down upon his guests.
Plus has established a round table where
simple food. wit and argument wait on ap-
petite His regular dinner companion is
Nonsignor Bressan. the confidential secre-
tary. whose duty il is to select other guests
from the hosts of Piuss old friends that
daily call at the Vatican. Thanks to this ar
rangement. the Holy Father is always sure
OF good company and of seeing people he
loves and whom he may question as to 9th.
ers. dear 70 his heart.
AS 10 'St. Peters injunction against mill
tary pomp. it must have conceded with
Pope Pius's innermost views, for IL = car
ried out with neatness and dispatch. Vati-
can etiquette DEGREES that the Pope must be
preceded his walks I'm the palace or gar
dens. by three bodies OF troops and cour-
tiers. and no sooner does Plus leave his
apartments than the soldiers and gold sticks
fall into line 10 carry out the programme
At the head march the halberdiers men of
giant stature; behind comes a troop OF Noble
Guards. commanded by a colonel and these
are followed by from ten to twenty cham
berlains. carrying golden key as their
badge OF Office
The troops are under orders TO march
ehead the moment Plus energies from an
apartment. but, after all. the Holy Father
IS commandeT-in-chiefo OF the papal army.
just as President Roosevelt is commander
OF the United States troops. A word from the
Pope suffices 10 the soldiers and
courtiers' progress. while Plus passes by the
lines. greeting the men pleasantly
As consequence OF Pius's interference
with the regulations. Vatican officials. mill
tary and otherwise, have lost their com
placent afr and complaints are many and
yar.eyated. What are we to dog The ..arti-
ciss prescribe certain duties yet obedience
10 the head OF the church forbids US 70 per-
form these duties.
While stroIling through the corridors of
his palace the other day Plus observed