The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-30
K|NC EDWARD VII VISITS THE POPE British Monarch Spends 20 Minutes in the Vatican
 
HAPPY GREETINGS EXCHANGED
After Edward Had Left His Holiness Said He Thought Him "a Very Nice Man"-The Ceremony
 Was impressive.

Rome, April 2s-King Edward today visited Pope Leo at the vatican. going directly from the Br t:sh embassy in 6 closed carriage. He was accompanied by Colonel Lamb. British military attachee. The carriage bearing the king was fcl- lowed by another containing ne,nbers O. his majesty's suite.
 The vatican is perhaps the most cere- monious court of Europe. It $ undoubt- edly one of the most picturesque, and all costumes worn there are of mediaeval times.
 As King Edwards carriage, at 20 minutes past 1. entered the court of St. sandamaso. surrounded by the well known Logla of Raphael. and which has been trodden by the feet of every sovereign who visited Rome, with the exception of the present Shah of Persia, his majesty was saluted by battalion of the Pala- tin guards in full uniform. Tattoo was given on the drumheads; there was no music as there are no papal bands It is declared that since the grotesaue render ing of the German royal anthem by bugles
  peror of Germany, the experiment of having music has not been repeated.
 When the royal party reached the grand staircase leading to the paDal apartments, King Edward was greeted 5y the Mar quis Sacchetti who acted for Prince Rus poll, the introducer of sovereig1s, who is H. Monsignor Merry Del Val and Prince Antici- Mattel. At the upper landing there was grouped in imposing array a number 1e tyl forrnpd a characteristic and magnificent assembly. Behind this group, attired in brilliant uni forms, were the knights of the cape and chamberlains in black velvet brooches, blouses with stiff white ruffles and gorge ously jeweled chains about their necks, giving a touch of brilliant color to the scene.
 King Edward Thanked Tesm.
 King Edward addressed fewswords of kindly thanks in return for the hearty greetings offered him. The royal party then proceeded between ranks of the Swiss guards. whose halberds gleamed in the sunlight that streamed through the windows.
 The hum of the busy city alone broke the deep silence that reignad within the vatican. At the Clementine hall the party was met by the papal master of the chamber, Monsignor Bisleti, who was att tended by personages of the secret ante- chamber. Upon arriving before the pri7 vate apartment of the pope the noble guard rendered military honors to the British sovereign.
 At the conclusion of this ceremony the door of the popes apartment was imme- diately opened and the aged pontif 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 pontin 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 ema- nate sentiments of benevolence and spirituality. The king and the head of the church olasped hands and exchanged a few words in French. King Edward passed within the papal apartments, the door was closed and the pope and his guest were left alone.
 Talked for 20 Minutes.
 King Edward remained with the Pontiff for twenty minutes. A bell was then rang and King Edwards suite was ad- 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, saying his last words at the door.
 From the vatican King Edward passed through the piazza of St. Peter ,where he was warmly greeted in English by number of Scotch pilgrims now in Rome. who shouted "Hurrah for the King." Had King Edward looked up at that moment he would have seen figure in a window on the second story of the palace; 1t was Pope Leo.
 Contrasted with the British sovereign who stood below in the sunlight and the center of the animation of the Immense plaza, the solitary white figure in the palace window seemed to further the idea of the pope as a prisoner.
 Instead of returning to the Brit ish em- bassy the king drove directly to the quirinal
 Happy Greetings.
 Some particulars of the interv lew be- tween the king and pope have become known The pope greeted the king, say ing in Branch. 'T am happy to see your majesty.
 King Edward replied, 'I am happy to be here and to add my congratulations to those of others on your having outlived the days of St. Peter"
 The rest of the conversation was on the pdTI or LHe DIllibH bONCftlBn COU- corning the attitude taken by the pope on the principal social questions of the day, and on the part of the pope about the situation of the church in the British empire. It has transpired that the pontiff informed King Edward that in view of the meeting. he had personally examined into all questions regarding Catholic interests now pending In various parts of the Brit ish empire and had prepared a memo randa to which he hoped the king would pay his benevolent attention
 It is understood that one part of the memoranda concerns the school uues- tion in Canada, and contains practically the same points as does the rnemoran- da given by the pope to Sir Wilfred Laurier, the Canadian premier, when the premier was last in Rome
 The pope. in speaking to his famiiars, seemed to be greatly pleased at the visit of King Edward. He said:
 "He is a very nice man"
 At the embassy King Edward Iexpressed his great satisfaction at having met the pope, and with reference to the pontiff's appearance, said:
 Ut is wonderful; he looks to be "A more than 93 years of age.
 One of the pope's chaplains called at xhs British embassy this evening with a