The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-01
EDWARD VISITS TIE POPE.
The Usual Ceremonies That Would Cheat Rul-
ers Into Believing Themselves Gods.
(By the Associated Press.)

]
! Rome, April 29.-King Edward visited
/ Pope Leo at the Vatican this afternoon,
/ going direct from the British Embassy
| in closed carriage.
The Vatican is, perhaps, the most
| ceremonious court of Europe 1t is un-
doubtedly one of the most picturesque,
and all costumes worn there are of
medieval times.
AS King Edwards carriages, at twenty
minutes past four entered the Court of
San Damaso, surrounded by the well
known loggia of Raphael, and which has
been trodden by the feet of every SOW
ereign who visited Rome, with the ex-
cepton of the present Shah of Persia
His Majesty was saluted by battalion
of the Pa1atine Guards in full uniform.
Tattoo was given on the drum heads;
there was no music as there are no papal
bands.
When the royal party reached the grand
staircase leading to the papal apartment,
King Edward was greeted by the Marquis
Sacchetti who acted for prince Ruspoi
the introducer of sovereigns, who is i'll;
Monsignor Merry Del Val and Prince
Antici- Mattel At the upper landing
there was grouped in imposing array
number Of other ecclesistics, who formed
a characteristic and magnificent assembly
Behind this group, attired in brilliant uni
forms, were the knights of the Cape and
chamberlains in black velvet breaches,
blouses with stiff white ruffs and gorge
ously jeweled chains about their necks
giving a touch of brilliant color to the
scene.
King Edward addressed a few words
of kindly thanks in return for the hearty
greetings offered him. Upon arriving
before the private apartments of the Pope
the noble guard rendered military honors
to the British sovereign.
At the conclusion of this ceremony the
door of the Pope's apartment was inn
med!ately 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 a red velvet cape bordered
with ermine Even King Edward paused
a moment upon seeing the pontiff in his
white garments. The Pope's face was
the color OF ivory, but he moved without
aid and with no apparent difficulty. From
his entire person there seemed to emanate
sentiments of benevolence and spiritual
ity The King and the head of the church
clasped hands and exchanged few words
in French. King Edward passed within
the papal apartment, the door was closed
and the Pope and his guest was left
alone.
King Edward remained with the Pontif
for twenty minutas. A bell was then
rung and King Edwards suite was adj
mitted and presented to the Pope. This
little ceremony seemed to please the
Pope Immensely. At it's conclusion King
Edward took his leave, the Pope crossing
the room at his side and saying his last
words at the door.
Some particulars of the interview be-
tween King Edward and the Pope have
become known. The Pope greeted the
King, saying in French:
81 am happy to see Your Majesty.
King Edward replied:
II am happy to be here and to add my
congratulations to those of others upon
your having outlived the days of st.
Peter"
The rest of the conversation was on the
British sovereign concerning the attitude
taken by the Pope on the principal social
questions of the day and on the part of
part of Pope Leo as to the situation Of the
church in the British empire. 1t has
Leaked out JIldL the IOuLlll iuLOI uISu Nih5
Edward that. in view of the meeting. he
had personally examined into all ques-
tions regarding Catholic interests now
pending in various parts of the British
empire and had prepared memorandum.
to which he hoped the King would pay
his benevolent attention. 1t is under
stood that one part of this memorandum
concerns the school question in Canada.