Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-06
DAILY LIFE OF THE POPE.
His Work, His Meals, His Sleep and
His Faithful Valet

writer In recent issue Of the Paris
Figaro thus told Of the pope's daily life:
The greatest modification in Leo's life Is
his almost entire abandonment of his walks
In the gardens. AS a matter Of fact, the
pope himself says that he has no need OF
open air. If at times the heat Is excessive
II Is possible that he has himself carried
in a chair to the pavilion he has had bull,
on the highest point in the garden. and
thus enjoys. so to say. a little country life
for few hours: but do not believe that
he cares for this often. In his apartments
the pope can get, by going from one room
to another. such slight variations Of tenn
perature as are sufficient for his delicate
system.
There are also some changes in his man.
ner OF saying mass. Formerly on Sundays
the pope celebrated mass in the large
chapel Of his apartments and invited thither
persons OF note who were passing through
Rome. For more than two years, however,
on Sundays and week days. with rare ex
ceptions. he has said mass in the little
chapel next to his bed room and no one is
admitted. His servant Contra assists
him. Nor Is this mass said at a fixed hour,
as used to be the custom. Now he cele.
brates 1t at or 8. or even 9-whenever he
has happened to awaken.
A good idea Of Leo's health can be had
from his appetite and his manner of nv-
ing. He has always been a light eater,
and for several years past. naturally. he
has eaten less than ever. Having no teeth.
and with stomach which. always feeble.
now digests with difficulty, it is necessary
for him to have special cuisine.
In the morning Contra brings him choc
olate. milk and two very soft-boiled eggs
The kitchen Is story above the papal
apartments and is connected with them by
a narrow and straight staircase, which ie
used for no other purpose. The dishes are
taken first to the credenziera (offlce) where
Signor Giuseppi MacelN Is in command.
He gives them to Contra. who is in the
ante-chamber, and the latter alone serves
Leo and assists him at his meal.
Maceln carries first wicker basket In
which Is a simple copper tray. with the cover
and napkin marked with the letters ''S. A.
p" which stand for Sacred and Apostolic
Palace" Then come the dishes. The pope
really takes regularly only a bouillon or q
potage. which Is the chief item Of his
nourishment. The rest of the meal consists
OF little balls Of hashed meat or minced
chicken, eggs. well-cooked vegetables and
very ripe fruits. Ordinarily coffee is not
served. and as to wine, the pope drinks but
little: but It is an excellent claret sent to
It, as II with water, with little white wine
OF Grottaferrata-
When tho dishes have been taken back to
touched anything: that what he has eaten
would hardly be enough for a child OF six.
Leo's apartments have no dining room.
He passes the day In his bed room, works
audiences there. The room 10 divided By q
curtain. which conceals the bed. Near the
curtain and leaning against the wall are
the familiar armchair. from which his ideas
little square table. A Yankee or English
amateur would pay well for this piece OF
furniture. for It Is at this tiny table that
the holy father eats and Mrites,when be
the pope does not write any more He can
hardly sign his name.