The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-30
EDWARD VISITS POPE
CEREMONY THAT OF THE MID
 DIE AGES.
, The Pontif Pleased by the British King, and Edward is Most Highly oratined by
 His Reception.

visited Pope Leo at the Vatican going directly from the. British Embassy, in a closed carriage. He was accompanied by Colonel Lamb, British Military Attache. The carriage bearing the King was fol. lowed by another containing members on His Majesty's suite. The Vatican is per haps the most ceremonious court of Flu rope. It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and all costumes worn there arc of medieval times.
 As King Edwards carriage at twenty minutes past 4. entered the court of San Oamaso. surrounded by the we'll known Logia Of Raphael and which has been trodden by the feet of every sovereign who has visited Rome. with the exception Of the present Shah of Persia His Mai esty was saluted by battalion of the Palatine Guards in full uniform. Tattoo music as there are no papaI bands. It is declared that since the grotesque render. Ing of the German royal anthem by bugIes on the occasion of the visit of the Elm. peror of Germany, the experiment of hay. ing music has not been repeated.
 When the royal party reached the grand staircase leading to the papal apartments. Sacchetti, who acted for Prince RuspoliI, the introducer of the sovereign, who is i'll Mgr. Merry del Val and Prince Antici- Mattel. At the upper landing there was grouped in imposing array a number of other ecclesiastics who formed a charac- teristic and magnificent assembly. Be- hind this group. attired in brilliant uni.
 
 chamberlains in black velvet brooches blouses with stiff white ruffs and gor- geously jeweled chains about their necks giving a touch of brilliant color to the scene. King Edward addressed few words of kindly thanks in return for the hearty greetings offered him. The royal party then proceeded between ranks of the Swiss Guards. whose halberd gleam. ed in the sunlight that streamed through the windows.
 The hum of the busy city alone broke the deep silence that reigned within the Vatican. At the Clementine Hill the par ty was met by the Papal Master of the Chamber Mgr. Bisleti. who was attended by personages of the ante-chamber. Upon arriylng arr pn before % & the private apartment of tary honors to the British sovereign.
 At the conclusion of this ceremony the door of the Pope's apartment was imme- diately opened and the aged Pontiff was revealed. standing at the threshold. His hand was extended, awaiting his guest. His Holiness was dressed in robes of white and red velvet cape bordered with menr upon seeing the Pontiff In his white garments. The Pope's face was the color of iyfry. but he moved without aid and withsno apparent difficulty. From his en- tire person there seemed to emanate sen timents of benevolence and spirituality. The king and the head of the church clasped hands and exchanged few words in French. King Edward passed within the papal apartments. the door was closed and the Pope and his guest were left alone.
 King Edward remained with the Pontiff for twenty minutes. A bell was then rang and King Edwards suite was admitted, and presented to the Pope. This little cer- emony. seemed to please the Pope i'm. mensely. At its conclusion King Edward took his leave. the Pope crossing the room at his side. saying his last words at the door.
 From the Vatican King Edward passed ha nf yyh he was warmly greeted in English by a number of Scotch pilgrims now in Rome. who shouted ''Hurrah for the King" Had King Edward looked up at that moment he would have seen a figure in a window from the second story of the palace: It was Pope Leo.
 who stool below in the sunlight and the center of animation of the immense plaza, the solitaire white figure in the palace window seemed to further the idea of the Pope as prisoner.
 Instead of returning to the British Em- bassy the King drove directly to the Qui- rinal.
 Some particulars of the interview be- tween King Edward and the Pope have become known. The Pope greeted the King saying in French; II am happy to see your Majesty"
 King Edward replied: T am happy to be here and to add my congratulations to those of others on your having out lived the days of St. Peter"
 The rest of the conversation was, on the part of the British sovereign, concerning the attitude taken by the Pope on the principal social questions of the day. and on the part of the Pope, about the situa- tion of the church in the British empire. It has transcpired that the Pontin in- formed King Edward that in view of tho meeting. he had personally examined into all questions regarding Catholic interests now pending in various parts of the Brit ish empire and had prepared memoran dunn to which he hoped the King would pay his benevolent attention. It is under< stood that one part of this memorandum concerns the school question in Canada and contains practically the same points al does the memorandum given by the Pope to Sir Wilfred Laurier. the Canadian Premier, when the Premier was last in Rome.
 The Pope in speaking to his familiars seemed to be greatly pleased at the visit of King Edward. He said: He is very nice man"
 At the Embassy King Edward express ed his great satisfaction at having met the Pope but with reference to the Pom tiffs appearance said:
 Tt is wonderful: he looks to be 7S more than 93 years of age"
 One of the Pope's chaplains called at the British Embassy this evening with a por- which was a dedication in the Pope's handwriting and his autograph.
 Tonight the British Ambassador gave an official dinner to King Edward, at which the King and Queen of Italy, the royal Princes, the Ministers and other dignita. receptionto which 600 invitations had been sent out. King Edward will leave tomor- row for Paris. King Victor Emmanuel and the Ministers will accompany the British sovereign to the railroad station.
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