Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-06-06
POPE CELEBRATES
Nth BIRTHDAY
Pontiff Appears Strong and in Elk.
cellent spirits-Hopes to
Live Many Years.

Rome. June 3.-His Holiness Pope Plus
X celebrated his nth birthday yesterday.
Messages Of congratulation were received
from all parts of the world and
friends called In great numbers to bespeak
the health Of the Pontf. 1t was stated
by tho Pope that he now for some time
has had relief from his frequently occur
ring attacks of Illness and that he hoped
to live for many years. He appeared to
lie in excellent spirits and to have recov-
cred entirely from his recent depression
Vatican officials and troops participated
In ali imposing demonstration In honor
OF the occasion. although because the
birthday fell on Sunday the celebration
was largely religious.
Pope Plus gave an audience in the morn
Ing to 1000 children who were making
their first communion and 100 of the par
ishioners of Trastevere and many mem
bers OF charitable and other institutions.
He also received Bishop Kennedy. rector
or the American College, and y students,
who have Just been ordained priests.
who are on their way home TO the United
states. HIS Holiness looked we'll md was
in high spirits. He was very much pleased
to see the young priests to whom he re-
ferred as twenty apostles"
ST. Philip" said the pontin, would
| convert the world with only six priests.
Who knows how much good for the Cath
Ole Church you will dor
The Pope asked the young clergy
men If they were sorry to leave Rome
and on receiving an Affirmative reply
exhorte1 them not to forget the Eter-
nal City and If they could not return
in person to come back in spirit. He
| then blessed the young priests repeat
eddy and told them to tell the Ameri-
cans that the Pope loved them. IL
asked all to pray for him.
Bishop Kennedy extended greetings
to the Holy Father on his birthday
and wished him many years of life
The Pope after thanking the bishop
said: Gods will he done.
The Pope spent the evening with
his sisters.
Pope Plus Y was born in the villag
Of REESE. near Venice on June 2. 1885
and until he was elected to the pa
| pacy on August 4. 1908. had never
| moved far from his birthplace. Pre-
| Giuseppe Sarto. patriarch of Venice
When he was only seven years OLD his
mother journeyed with him to TT avisc
and there lie a nOvena that in him
should be fulfilled the legend that
every soldier Of the Pope's army
should give one chilli to holy orders
At the age of % he was ordained prizes,
and until his elevation bore out consist.
entity the older idea of priesty ministra-
tons. lie was more or less Of a recluse
and was known for his piety and scholar
| ~ attachments. When on the morning the
| Sacred College had finished its delibera-
! tons over successor to Pope Leo XIII
| and his name was called. the new
Pope said sadly. 1T Is a cross that l re-
ceve from you
Plus brought no experience Of diplo-
macy or statecraft to his high Office and
| the great matters of church and state
I that have pressed for solution during the
| last nine years have aged and saddened
/ him Attacks upon the church have de-
| pressed him and at the same time
| strengthened his opposition to modern.
ism. The rupture of the church anc
| France produced upon him a melancholy
effect. The woman suffrage movement
did not arouse his sympathy. The laxness
Of priests and laymen has been denounced
sternly in some of his encyclcals
In addition to these d!stracting ques
tions the Pope has been subjected to Sc
we're attacks of govt, heart failure anc
| asthma