The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
NEWSPAPER MEMS FRIEND.
The Late Pope Leo NH Great
Reader OF Daily Papers.
Washington Times.

Washington Times.
The Rome correspondent Of the London
Pail Mall Gazette has sent in the following
stories of his Holiness: Taking into con-
sideration the whole atmosphere of the
Vatican, it will hardly be possible that
the new Pope will have for the press and
it's power a higher opinion than did Leo
XIII, who was proud of having, in the
early years of his career, fought several
battles through the medium Of the news
papers, and who was heard to call himself
1.-The journalist Pope" His benevolence to-
ward the press was also seen in the sub
ventions which he, although rather close in
money matters. made to great number OF
Catholic journals, the suppression Of which
(the subvertions) was often pressed by the
cardinals who administered the papal
treasury. They were all of the opinion Of
Cardinal Antonelli that journalists are a
veritable pest and should be set to drain
ing the Campagna Romano" but Leo XIII
opposed them, saying:
What should We do without our morn
ing newspaper? You know that IL st. Paul
were now living ne would be journalist. .
Until the very last day Of his life he read
home and foreign newspapers. taking to
his bed on one or two occasions when the
attacks In the Italian papers were more
outrageous than usual.
Leo XIII was in all things a model Of
u
and order as to be the despair of certain
of his attendants, except In two noteworthy
cases, when his love of his manuscripts led
him to put up with dust and disorder SO
that they might go untouched, except by
himself. and when In the absent-mipded-
ness Of composition he would use the sleeve
OF his gown as penwiper, slashing at 1t to
remove imaginary hairs.
This last habit often led to singular re-
suits, as his robes, being always white and
his ink always black, the marks could
came hard on his old attendant, Pho Contra,
who had to renew the robes, and, conse-
quently, ask for money to do so.
Pho" Leo would say. Il see by the ac-
counts this month an extra set OF robes has
been made for me. cannot have you so
extravaganza"
One day the Pontiff was ready too soon
for an audience with foreign royalty, and
sat down to his desk to write.
Your Holiness" Pho protested, you have
your new robes on. If they should get
Never fear. Pho, milo, this time am on
my guard; 1 shall not forget"
1.-The faithful servant left him and, re-
turning just as he was entering the audi
ence chamber, saw to his horror the tell
tale marks.
Your Holiness" he almost screamed.
but too late; his master was already out Of
the room The audience proceeded with the
usual formula, but the next day the Prot
estant royal parsonage confided 10 friend
that there must be a secret order In the
Vatican TO which the Pope belonged, as
his left was decorated with what ap-
peared TO be little black crosses.
Another of his characteristics was an in
vinciple repugnance to what he called be
Ing made a commerce Of On only one &C.
casion did the fact that tickets were
bought and sold for the ceremonies at
which he appeared at the Vatican come TO
his ears. and his anger was so great that he
had n prolonged fainting fit. which caused
some alarm to his doctor.
For this reason very few of his manu-
scripts have ever been seen. He dictated
everything TO his secretaries and then per-
sonally tore the manuscript into the most
minute pieces. that IL might by no possi-
bility be put together again and sold. There
are very few of his autographs In existence
and .hese are mostly in the possession OF
people who consider them almost religious
relics and certainly will never sell them.