Evening journal., 1906-10-08
Plus X MOST A
DEMOCRATIC POPE.
he Sees the Poor, Likes
Athletics and Delights
in Children
WORLDS GRAND OLD MAN

nounced that a company OF trench
gymnasts. on tour through Italy, had
visited the Pope.
Not only did he receive them cor
daily and give them his blessing. but
he was an interested spectator of their
games, given by special permission I'M
the Vatican gardens.
Young people love sports" said the
Pope. 1T does good TO their souls and
their bodies. Why should we not witt
ness their manly exhibitions? II should
make US feel young TO see them run,
jump and enjo, themselves. They en-
lliven this dun and silent place"
So the vast courts and splendid gar
ldens Of the richest and most stately
residence in the world were given over
TO athletic contests. of which the Holy
Father was one Of the most interested
spectators.
This was the main incident Of 'one
day. Perhaps upon another might
have occurred a happening similar to-
this. which marked the first months
of his pontifcate.
The Pope was born at Riese, and
soon after his elevation the mayor,
with some Of the municipal authorities
of the town, journeyed to Rome to
pay him tribute Of respect.
Little better than peasants and poor
lly educated, the mayor and his compan-
ions were decidedly III at ease upon
their arrival at the Vatican.
Being ushered into the general audi
ence room. they huddled together,
twirling their hats and standing in an
aBony Of embarrassment, until a guard
took pity on them and told them what
they should do.
Put Old Friends at Ease.
When they were ushered into the
presence OF the Pope, his kindly greet
ing put them Nt once at their ease.
leone here, my old friends, and sit
lbeside me, just as you used to do in
q the days at Riese," he suggested.
j From that moment their enbarrass-
lment passed. Here, instead of the for
, NAL dignfied head of their great
: church, was their old, simple -mannered
: kindly friend. Their fright took wings;
flthey sat in the Pontifrs study and
: oEtalked Familiarity with him about the
4 olden days, the scenes that he recalled
and the parishioners who had aided
: him when he was an ordinary priest.
Such incidents as these present a
7 picture OF the simple and democratic
'lnature Of the head OF the Roman Cath
olic Church, But his klnd-heartedness
as man is best illustrated by an
other happening.
When, not long ago. Mrs Dan Hanna,
OF Cleveland, Ohio. was In Rome with
her 5-year-old daughter she secured
/, the privilege of a special audience with
the Pontiff.
? Il At the termination OF the interview
Mrs. Hanna withdrew, and, while paus-
ing a few moments in the anteroom,
missed her little daughter. Some one
told her that the child had been seen
returning alone to the private Office OF
tho Pope.
Being permitted to enter the inner
room again. Mrs. Hanna was surprised
to find her child crawling about on the
floor evidently searching for some
d thing. But her amazement was even
s greater when she perceived the Pope
I also on his hands and knees. aiding
/, the little one IN her quest
4 Finally the Pope held up a tiny me-
(. dallion. "Oh. that's t." cried little
l Miss Hanna The Pope patted the
! ch'id's head, and the miss withdrew
T. with her mother.
: sympathzed With Child.
e lr So far as could be learned from her
n brather disconnected story later. the
= tchild had missed her plaything at the
moment Of withdrawing from the
IS Pope's presence. Rushing back, she
q endeavored to explain to "the nice old
y gentleman" the nature Of her loss.
Then she dropped on her knees and
began to search. In this the Pope
+, kindly old man that he is-endeavoret
!. to help. and thus il was that nc wa'
\ found in an undignifed attitude on tn,
!. floor looking for child's missing toy
y Many camera "fiends." visiting tn,
y Vatican In search OF material for theii
snapshots. have been delighted by un,
lexpected permission to photograph thu
Pope himself.
q He is an enthusiast in photogra ply
c and since his elevation has posed hun
e dreds OF times not only for profession
j. ais but for amateurs as well. In fact
h 1t is said that he never refuses any on
c who wishes to take his picture.
le Not long ago. noting a young lad,
ie artist armed with pencil and pad, whit
y was traversing the corridors OF tn
Vatican, he consented to delay h..
promenade long enough to be sketches
by her.
Some time later an artist brought Z
= the Vatican several ivory miniatures o
the Pope. and Plus X. gracefully con
- sented 20 write his signature on eacl
piece Of ivory under his Portrait
- Only recently he has permitted An
ton Van Welie, a weil-known artist O
- Holland. to paint him as he sat at hi
desk in his Office. Mr.. Van Welie wa
: the first of all artists to be admitte
to the Vatican to reproduce the init
mate life, as IL were. of Plus X.
Commenting upon this portrait a
v eminent French critic says: IN tn
: first place, His Holiness appears in
splred with the spirit OF simple mod
n est man, suddenly become the object 0
n the never satisfied curiosity OF multi
tudes. aft
n "He seems TO know, himself, IN
point of view OF crowds apparently re
GREETING the time when. an humbl
81 country curate he wandered unperceiv
d ed in the immense galleries Of the Vat
4 lean in the days Of pilgrimages
- Rome
S "shy and retired. the old pastor Q
20 Salzano would efface himself in IN
shadow OF st. Peters. like the gosps
Al publican kneelng on the threshold {