The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-11-18

4! - LN
(From a photograph taken few
weeks after the papal election.)
Of his visitors speak French, but not
italian. He is studying French. but
being an old man 1t is hard work.
and when he must speak it he bushes
like schoolboy at his frequent mis-
takes. He feels such an exhibition
undignified for the head of the
church, and for this reason, as we'll
as his modesty in thinking himself
still i'll informed on many important
matters. he in nearly all cases
chooses not TO speak at all. Already
he is known as the silent pope and
dubbed Plus the Silent.
In the Throne Room.
Mgr. Bisletti conducted us to the
throne room and left us, to enter the
adjoining papal apartments. The
throne room Is now almost bare Of
furniture to better show the dark
splendor Of the marble floor, walls
and ceiling. Soon several other peo-
pie were brought in who were also
| to have the privilege of a papal au-
dience. At these afternoon receptions
men must wear dress suits with white
ties. women black with black man.
tillas, unmarried women white with
black mantillas Gloves are forbid
den.
One man had an armful of bronze
cricifxes and candelabra, which he
wished the pope to bless. Another
man had a shoe box full of rosaries
for the same purpose. Several women
had single crueifxes or rosaries.
A few moments later Mgr. Bisletti
came to say the pope would not re-
ceive us in his own apartments, but
see us where we were on his way to
the garden. There were only two at
tendants present, gentlemen in full
coats of dull red silk, silk knee
breeches, silk stockings In low shoes.
all of the same color. They are call
ed ''sweepers" and do actually sweep
the papal apartments. They must,
however. be Of noble birth and high
station. because scraps of paper from
the papal desk might contain hints
Of world secrets which no ordinary
servant should see.
One of the sweepers motioned us
to our knees and a moment later the
pope. preceded by a monk in white
bearing the pope's red garden hat,
entered.
Plus wore the small white cap.
about which his coarse gray hair
bristled up rebelliously. robe of white
wool of fine texture, short cape Of
the same material, and about his
waist broad band of white watered
silk. His shoes were low, broad and
heelless. of new red leather. and
squeaked slightly when he walked.
How the Pope LOOKS.
I noted that the rudy, almost red
complexion Of a year ago had be-
come white from worry and confine-
ment. There were new lines in the
face, too, more pucker at the corner
of the eyes. and crows foot above
the nose and lines at the mouth
which helped give a slightly drawn,
almost puzzled expression.
The full dark eyes still reflected
the generous soul within, but in them
| lurked worry. yet strangely mixed
| with the worry there was sug-
gestion of serenity as If while not
always seeing clearly he had faith
he would be guided to act rightly.
First OF all he approached my
friend and bestowed the papal bless
ing. An effort to engage him In con-
versation was met by firm though
kindly gesture which made persist
ence impossible.
My experience was the same,
| though in addition he blessed a ros-
airy which a friend had asked me to
bring.
The man with the candeIabra he
blessed with single gesture and a
smile lurked in his eyes as he placed
his hand In blessing on the shoe box
full Of rosaries the other enthusiast
had brought. Probably those rosaries
are now giving JOY to a whole village.
Leaving the room by the other door.
the pope paused a moment and sur
veyed us. his rugged face lighting
with kindly contemplative interest.
Then In voice singularly soft and
musical he spoke a Latin blessing
and left us. There was none OF that
emotionally religious exaltation which
was feature of Leo's audiences and
w iSh
phlegmatic to tears. but we felt we
had met great and good and very
human man. and were the broader and
better ourselves for the experience.
Plus and America.
Disappointed of n direct interview.
I had several with prelates who en-
JOY that privilege. Some of my CLEAN
ings in this way are given in the first
part of my article.
Questions on the pope's views on
American affairs were not productive
Yes, he knew the few difficulties in
the American church. but even his In
Inmates did not know his opinions
There had been so many more PRESS
Ing questions. and the pope kept ST.
lent until he had mastered a subject
thoroughly. Until he had mastered
the subject thoroughly there would
be no new American cardinal, which
meant there would be none at the next
| consistory.
The pope knew American Catho-
lies to be devout. faithful and de-
voted to the church and the holy see,
and he retoiced that they gave him
90 littla trouhia