The Irish standard., 1903-09-12

made the governments neglect their
plain duty. "If we essay to make GER
tain stipulatons regarding the pope's
position we will also be responsible
for their strict observance" they
argued.
And while still holding back, they
were Informed by the popc's secretary
of state that they need not bother, as
the holy father would brook no inter-
ference in his affairs. The pope's
course was doubtless dictated by the
wish to make it perfectly clear that his
protest against the annexation of the
pnpal states must stand. If he had
tolerated the powers interference it
would have been tantamount to his
acceptance of the situation created by
the events of September, 1870. There
was nothing left for Italy but to take
the initiative. At the time when the
king invaded the Roman provinces
and Rome itself he had solemnly prom
iscd before the world not to interfere
with the popes position as head of the
Catholic church, but, on the contrary,
secure his entire independence and
freedom. AS a consequence the law
OF guarantee was created May 13, 1871.
Here 1t is: The popc's full title,
recognized by the government of Italy
ana all other governments. rcHds:-
Bishop OF Rome and vicar of Jesus
Christ, successor to st. Peter. prince
or the apostles, supreme and sover-
rlgn pontiff of the universal church."
AT the same time the pontiff is consti-
tutcd rrignng prince. will, all the
rights, prcrogativcs ana dignitics of an
absolute ANA Independent monarch.
]. The person of the pope is sa-
cred and inviolablc. Assaults upon
the pope by word or decd arc pun
lslled the Same as such upon the kings
person. The law OF lcsc ma aicste
framed for the protection of the king
and royal family shall also apply to
| the holy father.
=. The italian government binds IT,
| self to extend to the pontiff the honors
and conrtcsies due to reigning SOW
"rcigns and expressly stipulates that
| it regards him rs the foremost of all
monarcls. Thus, if king and pope
should meet, the pope has precedence
over the king.
). Like the DOpe's person, his pal
aces. or any other locality in Italy he
| may choose to visit or inlabit at any
time, are involable; without the holy
fathers consent no functionary of the
state shall be permitted to invade
premises occupied by the pope or un-
der the pope's jurisdiction. At the
same time the pope may exercise the
right of sovereigns-namely, to keep
body guard as heretofore, for the
protection Of himself and his property.
q. In order to guarantee the pope's
supremacy in religious and spiritual
affairs his own functionarics and of.
fic1als living in Rome shall not be SUBJ
ject to the state; it will not be per-
mfssiblc to hold them responsible for
any acts committed in the exercise of
their duties. These persons must
never be molested by officials of the
state and the state valves the right to
subject them to Investigations, etc.
S. Neither has the state right to
inquire into the affairs of papal Of
ficcrs or congregations. 1t has no right
to confiscate or demand books regis
ters, documents or papers of any sort
in such papal offices or congregations.
6. Foreigners holding office under
the holy see in Rome shall enjoy the
rights and privileges guaranteed to
Italian subjects; this means, in parti-
cular, that they cannot be banished or
delivered up to any foreign power.
Z. In order to guarantee to the
pope the free exercise of his spiritual
Office in any part Of the world, the
Italian government binds itself to hold
all correspondence by mail or tele-
graph emanating from the vatican or
the pope's residence wherever It NAV
be, inviolable. The pope shall have
the privilege to retain his own postal