The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-08
PLEASANT GLIhPSES
OF THE PONTIFF LEO
Once Received in Audience
the Sioux Indians.
MANY PROTESTANT CALLERS
Often Writes With Gold Pen-Ex-
tremely Particular About His
Appearance.

The Indians of Buffalo Bits WfId
West show once visited the Holy Father.
An American diplomat who was in Rome
when the troupe was exhibiting there
learned that the tribe of Sioux Indians
with the Wild West we're all Roman
Catholics. and he set about exerting his
personal influence~to secure their being
received by the Pope. Just at that par
ticular time his holiness was exception
ally engrossed with his duties and was
unable to set apart day to receive
his red children Of the plains. He gave
orders. however. that they were TO be
admitted to the approaching consistory.
When the ceremony took place not only
all the Indians. but the cowboys as well.
In all their prairie toggery, were adj
mitted TO the Vatican. and. filing past
the surprised soldiery on the lower
floors. assembled the wide marble stair
case to the consistorial hall. Men of all
civilized nations had hitherto been pres
ent some time or other in those historic
apartments. but it was perhaps the first
time when men OF savage race, scarce
~ belonging TO the beneral brotherhood
of nations, had gone there voluntarily
and a their own request. When his
holiness appeared the Indians followed
the example of the other people and fell
upon their knees. The feathers of their
headdresses were conspicuous above the
heads Of the other people. and when the
sharp. searching eye of the aged Pope
discovered them. he appeared greatly in
terested and watched them intently for
soma minutes as he was carried through
the hall. bestowing his benediction upon
them as he passed.
Many Protestant Visitors
Protestants as well as Catholics were
constantly among the visitors at the
public receptions of Pope Leo. A writer.
in speaking of the etiquette on these
occasions, says that Monsignor O'Con-
nell. the rector of the American Col
lege. was frequently apprehensive lest
some of the Protestants present among
his cOuntrymen might make some sign
of disrespect 20 the Holy Father, or
rather, might decline 10 conform to the
usage of such occasions. All persons
are required to kneel when before the
1 IODE- OdknDllCb are tADtENtu 10 KISS
the papal ring. and it Is left optional
with them whether or not TO kiss the
Pope's foot.
Used Pen of Gold.
The Pope usually wrote with a gold
pen, but the official pontifcate sigma
ture was made with a quill. The pen
with which he signed and dated the first
document. OF the twentieth century. was
a present from the citizens of Naples.
1t is Of gold. set with jewels. The lit
erary work Of the Pope has been prodig-
ious. He dictated TO his secretaries from
notes written on scraps of paper. which
he afterward destroyed 10 prevent their
being sold for mementos- This sort Of
traffic in the handwriting of Plus TX as
sumed large proportions. Sometimes the
work was of such a nature that he did
not care 10 intrust IL TO a secretary.
Then he shut himself up in his room.
forbade even knocking at the door. and
became so absorbed that sometimes he
wiped mis- pen on the white sleeves of
his Immaculate robe. As he was ex-
tremely particular about his appearance.
a servant always had charge OF apparel
ready for use in case the spots were
found.