The Irish standard., 1908-07-11
AN IMPRESSIVE EVENT
Haking Arrangements to See
the Holy Father.
An Audience With the Pope
Not an Easy Natter.


private audience with the Pope. These
are rarely granted except to visitors Of
great distinction or for the discussion
of questions of unusual Importance.
and those who would meet the Pope
are required to conform strictly to tho
rules. But public audiences are more
easily arranged. writes New Yorker
who recently had the privilege Of an
audience with the Holy Father.
Twice a day, for the hours from
1880 a.. m. to 1880 p. IN. and from s
p. m. to p. M. Monsignor Bisleti. the
Papal major domo, is in attendance at
the Vatican with a staff of secretaries
to pass upon applications for au-
dience.
In room just off the garden Of the
American college Bishop Kennedy. the
rector Of the college, or the vice-rec-
tor. Father O'Hern. meet Americans
who wish to see the Pope. If the
credentials be satisfactory, the hearer
receives a letter addressed to Mon
signor Bisleti containing a formal re-
quest for an audience and giving the
applicants address in Rome. in orde::'
that notice of the granting of the re-
quest may be mailed to him. should it
be found inexpedient I'd extend the
permission at once.
Having obtained the letter. it is we'll
to lose no time in getting to the Vati-
can, for while the visitor will have no
reason to complain of lack of courtesy.
he must bear in mind that the
officials there have many, many mat
ters other than receptions to attend
to, and that system and punctuality
are adhered to quite as closely in &C.
clesiastical as in commercial affairs.
The letter to Monsignor Bisleti ex-
hibited, the bearer is directed to the
right up a broad and extremely long
flight of steps, which. although he finds
the ascent easy, causes him to wonder
If there is an elevator in the vast
building. At the top he finds himself
in a rather plainly furnished room.
with a dozen or so chairs ranged
around the sides and table or two in
the center. Here young man in eve
IL vi I. hi hot nj
overcoat and be seated.
j. 1t Is Just o'clock. yet two callers
are ahead of him. They are women
we'll dressed and evidently Germans
Five minutes more and the room holds
being men. No one speaks. Another
ave minutes and the attendant motions
has found in the room to pass through,
a door leading to another apartment
No. 8 shifts to the first vacant chair
and his example is followed by tie
others.
Then No. is directed to the ad-
joining apartment. where. to his SUR
prise. he finds not only the two wo,n-
en- who had preceded him. but sew
eral men. Every few minutes the num-
Der Of occupants of room No. 2 is in
creased by the admission Of two OF
three from room No. I, while an equal
number are sent from room No. 2 to q
third apartment, which is reached by
mounting a short stairway. This room
is fitted up in the style Of an ofIice
with several busy secretaries at flal
top desks working over account books
and sorting letters.
At last the visitor is conducted e
the n1ajor-domo. whom he finds in {
stately. richly furnished room com
municating with the office. The wall.
are hung with figured red silk. while
gilt framed chairs and sofas, uphol
stored in the same material, are tast.
AAAy uASPSoSO oOOuC IAl0 SAuuIOCl. DE-
yond this room is still another. Will
similar appointments. which appeal
to be Monsigrlor Bisletis private of
Zee.
Very keen. alert and bushes like 1
7 the prelate whose work it is to super
wise the innumerable details of TIL
I management of the Popes great house
i hold. with its army Of attendants an
servants and it's priceless treasures o
art. He wears a priests black cassoc
y Of fine soft material, gathered at til
waist with a red sash. He is sma
Y man, less than five feet six in heigh
Z with clear cut features and scintillat
Ing. black eyes. His dark hair is close
Z lx3cut...
/ + A quick glance at the visitor and hi
hand is extended for the letter Of ap
4 plication. He recognizes the name Q
the visitors sponsor. former mem