The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-05-27
A SIGNAL RECOGNITION OF
PAPAL PRESTIGE.

A SIGNAL RECOGNITION OF.
PAPAL PRESTIGE.
Since the, opening of the Roman
jubilee commemorative of the fif-
tieth anniversary of the proclama-,
ton Of a United Italy, the Catholic
world has been eagerly watching
the trend Of events in the Eternal
City. According to those who were
most active in organizing the cele-
bration, Rome was to be honored
during these months by the pres
ence of many of the crowned heads
of Europe. Of course, Catholics
took it for granted that no Cath
Ole sovereign, worthy of the
name, would pay visit to Rome
during this period in view of the
fact that the jubilee is, in reality,
intended to commemorate the
usurpation Of the temporal power
of the Church and emphasize the
virtual Imprisonment Of the Pope
within the confines Of the Vatican.
The jubilee has been more Of
failure than Catholics expected.
What was intended to be glori-
fcation of United Italy has proved
to be remarkable tribute to
the prestige of the Holy Father
in international affairs. The cele-
bration has not evoked any special
recognition of the King Of Italy
by European sovereigns. With
the exception Of the Kings Of
Sweden and Of Servia, no ruler
has paid visit to Rome since the
festivities began. 1t was rumored,.
that the German Emperor, the
King of Belgium, the King of
Spain and several others would en-
nance the splendor of the celebra-
ton with their presence. The
German Emperor on his way to
Corfu stopped just long enough at
Venice to shake hands with King
Victor Emmanuel's brother. The.
King of the Belgians sailed to
Egypt early in March and did not
salute, except from afar, the land
of Italy. The King of Spain will
not visit Rome; and now it is said
that not even the President of the
French Republic will honor the
Capital Of Italy with his presence.
during the celebration. Il
Commenting on this latest de-
velopment, Evangelista, the Meth
odist paper of Rome, says: "To
tell the truth, we are incredulous
about this news, because it seems
so absurd that the head of a most
anti-clerical state should have any
scruples about embittering the
heart of His Holiness. q.
"Can it be possible that, for
miserable considerations Of inter-
nal policy, Signor Fallieres dea
sires, like the German Kaiser, to-
contribute to the success of the
boycott organized against third
Rome by the stubborness of our
eternal enemy? i
eve say this, not because Italy
Of the 'Resorgimento' needs i'm
perial, royal and presidential
visits in ratification Of her Gin
quantenary rivendications, but to
call the attention Of the people
and Of the government to the UNI
supportable state of things created
for us in Rome by the presence
of this Signor Pope, of this stran-
ger, who plots to the damage of
our country.
IF Italy does not complete the
breach of Porta PA, unnesting her
implacable enemies from the sa-
cred palaces, the powers will not
be convinced that Rome is the alb
solute property Of the Italian. -
This outburst shows how bitter
is the feeling amongst these
friends Of a United Italy against
the holy Father, whose attitude
towards the celebration makes
this year of jubilee one of mourn,
ing in the Eternal City. The
sovereigns of Europe, in refusing
to participate in this Roman event
have shown signal recognition OF
the influence of the Holy Father
not only in the religious, but in the
political world.
Catholics everywhere will re.
joice that this celebration, planned
to enhance the prestige of United
: Italy, has demonstrated how effec;
tive is the silent but determined
/ protest Of Plus x who, though 9
prisoner in the Vatican, is able
, RI raaoh havopd itS oophnoc and