Omaha daily bee., 1907-04-21
LIFE OF THE PEASANT POPE
Plus < GAS Shown that he has a Mind
Of his Own.
HIS JOKE on a COMMUNITY or NUNS
Lives Very simply and spends Much
of HIS Time In Prayer
Reforms He Has In
Htituted.

dinal himself. In fact, that the thought
OF his being chosen pope was far from
his mind is shown by the reply he gave
to friend on the eve Of his departure
from Venice to attend the conclave. He
was asked Is he thought the election would
be a laborious one.
mo" he answered, 81 think the election
will be a short one. We will put Peter I'm
chains perhaps on the very first day, crown
him pontiff as soon as possible and hasten
back to our dioceses."
All this took place almost as he had
prophesied, with the exception that the
patriarch Of Venice never returned TO his
diocese. but remained and will remain until
death releases him, voluntary prisoner IN
the Vatican, a sovereign. styled Father
OF princes and kings, ruler of the orb OF
earth and vicar OF our Savior Jesus Christ"
but whose kingdom has dwindled to
palace and a garden.
Preferred His Quiet Life.
Plus x has been a much misunderstood
man. His chagrin at being elected pope
was apparent especially on the day Of his
coronation, when born aloft in the sedla
gestatoria. To a man who has lived for
fifty years a quiet life, performing his
duties toward his flock with patience and
simplicity. the sudden rush into public no
tice was nothing short Of paralyzing And
even now, after three years OF pontihcate,
he continues the simple trend Of his earlier
days. Under Leo XIII the papal court
felt that all hopes Of restoration of tenn
poral power were not lost Leo himself
was the REORGANIZATION Of these hopes and
at all public functions one felt that he
looked on a king in exile.
.TOna Plus the contrary. the single-
minded peasants son, was known 20 have
worked more for spiritual influence rather
than temporal power while patriarch Of
Venice. and hence at first he was regarded
as favoring and wishing for a peaceable
understanding between the Vatican and the
Italian government. Such a surmise was
supposed to be so well founded that
compromise OF the vexed Roman question
Is still expected The pope is apparently
plant but the Vatican encourage know
better. Many have regarded the pope. and
some still regard his as entirely relying
for his opinions on the secretary OF state
Cardinal Merry del Val. This may have
been quite true IN the beginning Of his
pontlhcate. but is no longer so at present.
independent and Firm.
Plus x has a will of his own, he Is
practical and an enemy to political cow
webbery Behind his kindness of de-
meanor he has a firmness of purpose which
once reused cannot be changed. The first
instance when the pope asserted his indie
pendence Of action occurred, shortly after
his election, in regard TO the dispensing of
tickets for the functions in st. Peters.
Formerly IL was the custom to erect
tribunes or boxes on both sides of the high
altar during Holy week and other solemn
functions. Tickets were much sought after
and often IL was possible to obtain them
for a consideration from hotel poTters. The
sale OF tickets proved highly profitable to
many a needy prelate, and the bartering
for them amounted TO nothing less than a
scandal. Plus X abolished the tribunes and
made II rule that when any function was
70 take place In the basilica all alike
should have the same privileges.
The choice OF the secretary of state was
entirely the pope's. Cardinal Merry del
Val represented to the pope what he was
in need Of viz: a young clever prelate
versed in the ways OF the world, and
hence also In diplomacy and a good lin
gust, yet having the spiritual good of the
church at heart. The choice is said to have
been unfortunate, especially as Cardinal
Merry del Val is unjustly blamed for not
having averted the church crisis in France,
But Plus X is evidently of a different
opinion, as he reposes implicit confidence
In his secretary OF state.
His Politics and Policy.
The predominant influence acquired by
Cardinal Rampolla during the last pontih-
cate had created for him many enemies in
the Sacred college. His unfortunate
Francophile policy, which led to disastrous
results even before the death OF Leo XIII,
made him lose prestige among his col
leagues, the French cardinals included. and
his determined opposition TO the political
union OF Italy was notorious.
Plus X, as parish priest, bishop and car
dinal, succeeded In abstaining from that
intransigentlsm which is characteristic OF
Italian clericalism and only serves 10
widen the breach between church and
state, TO the prejudice OF the true interests
OF religion and morality, and as pope he
meant TO initiate a new policy. hardly DIFF
fering from that followed by his predecessor
At nrst, but gradually becoming character
lied ard distinguished by the simple faith.
the quiet virtues and the abundant charity
OF heart OF the son Of the Riesi farmer
who was thrust weeping on the papal
throne.
Ahe pope hIat step IN THIS direction was
the appointment of the new secretary OF
state. Plus X remains a peasant at heart.
He has succeeded as pope just as he had
succeeded as patriarch OF Venice. His only
object IN life is TO be good and live like
his humble forefathers, quietly and simply.
without ostentation. He spends a great
part of his time in prayer. Some time ago
an American prelate forgot I'm the popes
library some objects Of devotion which the
pope had blessed during his private audi
ence. The audience was just over, so the
prelate thought he would return to the
library and get what he had forgotten.
The door was aiar and through the opening
he saw the pope on his knees wrapped in
prayer. The pope's prayers were inter-
rupted by a chamberlain. who ushered in
more people for tho next audience and who
subsequently told the prelate that Il was
the custom OF the holy father 70 spend
the intervals between audiences In prayer.
Routine OF the Day.
The pope is a very busy man. He rises
at g. After a summary toilet he goes to
his private chapel. where his chamberlains
dress him for the mass. which he cele-
brates slowly and with great devotion.
After a frugal breakfast he is ready for
his days work. The whole forenoon Is
spent In audiences. that OF the cardinal