The Irish standard., 1909-01-16

. 81. 8' = go
S&s Il lis not an easy matter to obtain a
private audience with the Pope, writes
'ssa lady who is described as a "promi-
Hnent New York woman" in the New
york world. These are rarely grant
ed except to visitors OF great distinc-
tion or for the discussion OF questions
of unusual importance, and those who
4 would meet the Pope are required to
conform strictly to the rules. ytts
Twice a day, for the hours from
1880 a. M. to 1880 P. M. and from
s!6 P. M. tot p. M, Monsignor Bisleti,
the Papal major domo. is in attend
ance at the Vatican with q staff OF
secretaries to pass upon applications
Tor audience.
Perhaps for the reason that there is
l q larger proportion Of nom Catholics
among American visitors to. Rome than
other nationalities, it is said that res
/ quests from Americans are considered
Ss,,, with mui mo- deliberat ton than 9TH
l intilu II tlie sreas0n;
E'ls slbfs ssthis Is disregard ~ thought1ess
Of N -nannered persons sof the vati-l
Eean requirements governing attire and
conduct while In the. Pope's presence.
Be this as it may, it is said to be q
fact that many Americans have to
walt for days, sometimes for weeks,
before they receive the desired per-
mission \ II
Audiences for visitors from the.
United States are arranged by Mon
signor Kennedy, the rector Of tho
American College at Rome. An ap-
splicant j must first provide himself
with a letter Of introduction from the
Catholic priest, in whose parish he re-
sides, OF. preferably, one from the
Bishop Of his diocese. In this let
ter the number Of persons travelling
with the bearer must be stated, and
the non Catholics. If any. must be set,
down clearly t s1a,
Il In room Just of the garden Of
the college Monsignor Kennedy or,
the vice-rector, Father O'Hearn, q
/ New Yorker, meet Americans who
I wish to see the Pope. II the creden-
tials be satisfactory, the bearer re-
ceives Ia letter addressed to Monsig-
nor: Risleti containing a formal re-
quest for an audience and giving the
applicants address in Rome, in order
that notice Of the granting Of the re-
quest may be m--:.:ed to him, should
sitS be found inexpedient to extend tho
permission at once. ss,2 VI y i.
Having obtained the letter, 1t is well
to lose no time in getting to the Vat
lean, for while the visitor will have
no reason to complain Of lack Of cour-
tesy, he must bear in mind that the
officials there have many, many mat
ters other than receptions to attend
I to- and that system and punctuality
are adhered to quite as closely in ec-
sclesiastical as in commercial affairs.
n The visitor is not apt to be reas-
sured by the manner Of the soldier
Of the Swiss Guards. who with bay
sonetted rifle on shoulder, ps-sses In
his short patrol at the entrance toI
the Papal Ialace to demand Of him
ssaternly whittier he q going.
The letter to Monsignor Bisleti ex-g
,,hibited, the bearer Is directed to the
right up broad and extremely long
htght Of steps, which, although he
sfnds the ascent easy. causes him to-
Il 4 wonder if there Is an elevator in the
vast building. At the top he finds him
/ seif In q rather plainly furnislied
/ room, with q dozen or. so chairs ranged
around the, sides and a table or two
IN tlles centre. Here q young man. In
evening dress bids him remove hisl
I hat and overcoat and be seated.
{ & II s. Just g o'clock. yet two callers
ereS ahead of him. They are women
wen dressed and evidently Germans
rive minutes ore and the room holds
q score more visitors. ! ! major