Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-08-03

Insist on the etiquette by which tn
Pope dined alone at one table and ha'
no one else in the room. But the fea
arose that as he had always had nj
three sisters dine with him this woul'
be the Popes next move.
"He startled the courtiers one morn
ing by renting apartments in q nev
building adjoining the Vatican and in
stalling therein the three sisters. I'm
mediately all the other apartments IL
the building were rented to aspirinl
ecclesiastics, who now pay the great
est court to the three simple modes
sisters. They are typical Italian pea
SAINT women and are wholly innocent
Of the possible designs Of those about
them, who think that by paying hom
age and court to them they in turn
win obtain favors from their brother
whom they call to this day in theiI
simple way Peppe, the familiar dim
inutive for Giuseppe, the Popes' bap.
tismal name.
Thus far his holiness has not had
his sisters dine with him, and it is not
likely that he will The only two in.
stances Of women having eaten in the
pope's apartments since the founda.
tion Of the Roman Catholic church
were those of Queen Christine of
Sweden, who sat at a separate table
and lower down than the pope at a
Jignt luncheon served to her, and of
the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, who
after communion at the hands of Leo
XIII was served with some refresh
ments in the pope's apartments. The
pope then did not eat anything him
self, so you can see that the rule is
so firmly established that it will be
scarcely broken by the present pom
tin.
He is fast doing away with many
forms Of etiquette which have en-
dured for centuries. For instance, a
visitor had always to genuflect three
times upon coming into the presence
of the Pope; first, upon crossing the
threshold, then when half way, then
at the Popes side. You then kissed
the cross upon his right slipper, and
remained kneeling all the time you
were in his presence
This Pope will have none of It. He
invariably comes to greet you and
will then go and get a chair for you
and chat in good old fashion, making
you feel at home Immediately. II
naturally shocked all within the Vati-
can, but they are getting used to II
now.
AN amusing incident occurred when
a diplomat called recently, expecting,
OF course, all the old forms. He was
surprised at first by the change, but
soon recovered himself, had his inter
view anu Was uepdIllnB
"In the old form you always bowed
yourself out of the Pope's presence,
but as Plus X. went to the door arm
in arm with the diplomat, talking the
while, he did not nave the chance to
bow. AT the threshold he turned to
genufiect, and to his surprise found
the Pope rearranglng the chairs about
the room In the most matter Of fact
way. The Pope smiled, and the diplo-
mat retired amazed.
The ladies' will ever be indebted to
him for banishing the form of having
them bow themselves out OF his pres
ence, With their long trains, this
was ever source of worry and not
a little embarrassment to them. They
don't have TO do It with Plus Y. He
invariably shows women out in a most
chivalrous manner.
He has also done away with the
custom Of never seeing any of the civil
authorities Of Rome or members Of
the Italian government. He sees every.
body who comes 70 see him. He has
received the deputies, and senators OF
both houses, and all the members OF
the kings court, as well as Queen
Margharita's court, and such people
as the wives of the late Premier Rudini
and NicOmte Venosta. He was very
intimate with the nobility when at
Venice, and was a warm personal
friend of the present king. He will
do much toward paving the way 10 a
reconciliation between the Papacy and
the government as time goes on.
Another custom he has abolished
is the kissing Of his ring when receiv.
ing communion from mis- hands. II is
hoped that his departure from this
custom, which has been followed for
centuries. will be initiated by prelates
throughout the world. The Pope
knows IL TO be a source Of distraction
to the communicant, and will not per.
init AZ