The Irish standard., 1908-04-11
MOST ACTIVE OF THE PoPEs.
Plus X. Described as the Most Ener
netie Of lona List of Pontiffs.

e'us X. Described as the Most Ener.
Detic Of Long List of Pontiffs.
Every Catholic is interested in the
personality and intimate character of
the Sovereign Pontiff who rules over
the great spiritual empire of which
those of the faith are willing and loyal
subjects A sprightly sketch Of the
Pope by newspaper correspondent
represents Plus X as the most lively,
energetic. active Pope of all the long
list. Latterly his health has more
than once failed him, but even in sick.
ness his fire is only partly damped.
His energy. ubiquity and inqusitive-
ness never cease to amaze the Vatican
officials and their astonishment is al
ways fresh when the Pope demands
some new duty from them which they
were not called on to perform in the
days of Leo XIII and Plus TX,
The Pope rises very early. and after
Il hurried toilet sits down to his writ
ing table. He works till 10. sometimes
IL; then he grants audiences after
changing his habit and spending half
an hour in prayer,
In the time of Leo XIII the Secre.
tary of State used to arrive between
and 10 in the morning, but Plus X
says that custom breaks up his morn
ing and interferes with his work. So
the Cardinal Secretary remains away
until about midday. He makes his re.
ports. and then, as a rule, Cardinal
and Pope go to luncheon together
Not infrequently Mgr Bressan
makes a third at these confidential
meals, where the most secret affairs
Of the Catholic world are discussed as
we'll as the relations of the Church to
the various governments. Mgr Bres-
san is one of the Pope's private secre-
taries
Immediately after luncheon there are
more audiences, for the Pope permits
himself no siesta.
At o'clock the Pope retires to his
private cabinet and chapel and is
seen by no one until about 9, when he
It 81 care and restraint. His
constant attendants at supper are his
two private secretaries. Occasionally
he invites a sister to his supper table,
and her joy may be imagined when
she sits down to supper at her be-
loved brothers table without cere.
mony, just as in the old days at
Venice.
Latterly it has happened that in
stead of going Immediately to his
cabinet on rising the Pope has taken
a turn in the Vatican gardens. He
throws a loose red mantle over his
snowy habit and walks sometimes at
racing speed along the beautiful
walks.
His predecessor paced slowly. stop
ping at intervals in thought, gazing
out over the city. meditating Latin
verses. Plus x bustles along with
the air of a man of business, vet with
a dignity which cannot be questioned.
He tells his guards not to follow him,
but to remain at their posts. He sits
down for a minutes rest on the pleas
ant seats under the expresses, takes q
document from his pocket and pores
over it. Then he starts on his walk
with renewed vigor.
After an hours constitutional he re-
turns to his rooms tired but in the
best. Of humor. and in a few minutes
more he is seated at his desk. When
he is particularly pleased and all goes
well he huns Church melodies to him
self as he works and the chamber
lains in the antechambers often hear
him break into snatches Of Latin
hymns, which he sings with BARI
tone. which is still worth hearing.