The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-10-07
BISHOP 0'RE|LLY
Returns From Extended Tour of
Europe-Enthusiastic over
his Visit.
Had Private Audience With Holy
Father Whom he Found in
Excellent Health.

thony of this city, arrived here on
Thursday, Sept. %, on his return from
a three months tour in Europe. Bish-
op O'Reilly made hls first official visit
to Rome, where he had private audi
ence with the Holy Father. Before
returning to his episcopal duties he
visited many of the principal places
In Italy, France and England. In
speaking of his visit Bishop O'Reilly
said:
"My visit to Rome was full of Won
ders. had the extreme honor of be-
ing granted personal audience with
his holiness, Pope Plus x, and for
man IS years old, l should say he
looked fairly WELL At that time he
seemed to be improving, but since
then / understand he has not been
nearly so we'll.
"Of the conversation l had with the
Pope, l have nothing to say, except
that he extended to me the papal
blessings to carry back to my people
in this country. His holiness is a
grand old man, a man of the old
school, erd one who would like to
sit down and get acquainted with ev-
eryone. Lately, because of failing
health, public audiences have been
abandoned, but he is still kept busy
holding private audiences. ] should
Pope greets ever 100000 persons.
While in Rome the only big function
that | attended was the eighth ami
versary of the coronation of his holi-
ness, ine'd in the Sisline chapel. All
the noted church officials were pres
cnt. and hat the honor of having a
seat next to Cardinal Merry Del Val,
papal secre tary of state.
Old Euns Interest.
During my stay in Rome 1 was in
tcrested in all the old ruins. 1t is
ancient tome that is wonderful. On
the night that visited the timeworn
and wind.scarred Coliseum there was
5uil MOON The effect was most po-
etic and wonderful. Standing in the
midst of those venerable ruins with
the clear light t.f full moon stream
ing through every crack and crcvice,
conjured in my minds eye a thou
sand little scenes of history that have
made the Coliseum famous. What is
left of the Coliseum shows but little
wear, the passing centuries apparent
ly having but little effect on the re-
naming walls.
"The best place in the world to go
to see how the ancients lived is Pom
peii. Pompeii is most perfectly pre-
served, and the visitor can see for
himself the homes and many articles
used by the people of Pompeii in 4
wonderful state of preservation.
There are several specimens in the
museums there of petrified men, who
still retain the expressions of horror
and pain that they must have felt
when the burning lava buried them
to their death.
"In Genoa was much impressed by
the beautiful palace of justice that
the government is erecting at cost
of $10,000,000. Nowhere in the world
is there a building that l think can
compare with this grand structure. 1t
is work of art, such as only the
Italians are capable of doing, and in
any other country would cost many
times the amount that 1t was built
/; for in Genoa.
Before leaving Rome visited the
catacombs, and was amazed at their
extensiveness. How on earth theil
builders ever managed to tunnel sucl
distances under the city of Rome
do not understand. That the cata
combs were the hiding places Of Chris
tians when the faith was banned ir
Rome, l have no doubt, as in many Of
the crevices one can see symbols anC
other religious signs carved. The grea
Italian exposition in Rome this veal
was dismal failure, partly ON &C
count Of the sickness of the pope ant
partly on account of the lack of Wis
itors in the city.
Economy Of the French.
"Of my visits to other countries
could speak all day. In France wal
impressed by the economy practice'
by the French people. They are S,
different from Americans. Although
the average Frenchman likes pom
and style, still he is saving, until tc
day France Ia the richest country il
the world. I liked London much bel
ter than l did Paris. There wa
something more substantial to Enc
lands metropolis. l was more pleas
ed with it. One thing that impresse
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