The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1912-06-13

| W.
| Press)
ROME, June 13.-The restoration by
the Italian government to the Vatican
| of the old papal mint has ended
one of the most curious sights in Rome
brought about by the peculiar rela-
lions existing in Italy between the
Vatican and the Quirinal.
At the time of the Italian occupation
of Rome in 1870, the papal mint in
connection with the Vatican was
necessity; there being at that time no
public mint to meet the immediate de-
mand for an increased national cur
rency. In appropriating the mint
it known to Vatican as politely as
was possible that the mint would al
ways be at the disposal of the pope for
any coinage he might desire.
Despite the bitter relations that are
supposed always to exist between the
Vatican and the Quirinal, this offer
was accepted and the practice OF it has
been in vogue ever since. Not less than
twice every year, therefore, the pope
had made medals which he bestows on
the members of the Swiss, Pontificial
and other papal guards as well as the
medals which he has needed for spe-
oia tho 6oonratjnO
of the members of pilgrimages, OF for
the bestowing of recognition for espe-
cial deeds of service to the church
This dual use of the mint, as well as
it's location-it being within the walls
of the Vatican garden just back of the
Vatican and of st. Peters-was what
brought about the curious sight which
has now been ended Always along the
parapet of the mint, night and day,
week after week, month after month,
and year after year, for over 40 years,
there walked on one side a sentry of
Swiss guards in the full uniform of
the Vatican, while on the other side
there walked sentry of the Italian |
a member of the ia |
nous corps of the bersalieri, wearing |
the distinguishing feathers of the
bersalieri head dress waving always
lust a trifie tauntingly in the wind. |
The two sentries were always sup
posed to be bitter enemies-just as
bitter as is the church and state. AS a
natter of fact, however, they were
Usually pretty good friends, and eX
cigarettes and words much
he same as in the mint below the
Italian government coined medals for
he pope and the pope accepted them
with the graciousness of
The restoration of the old papal mint
With the double sentries of the Vatican
md the Quirinal-has been made pos
ible by the completion of the new
mint of the Italian government. At
his new mint, too, the Italian gov
rnment will continue to coin medals
or the pope as in the past and as
much oftener as he may want them.
Is there is therefore no further use
or the old papal institution, the upper
oors of the building will be convert
d into barracks for the gendarmes
t the Vatican and the lower floor into /:
n electric plant.
The program for the postponed cele-
ration of the year of Constantine has
lst been announced at the Vatican.
he festival Constantine's adoption of
ne Christian religion, which was to
ave been held this year, will now
AXE place in 1913, beginning i'm
lediateIy after Easter and continuing
the year.
In making public the program, the
ope has also made known his desire
lat the entire celebration be purely j
e]igious and is to consist largely of :
agnificent pontificial ceremonies at h
amt Peters, San Giovanni in Later
), Santa Maria Maggiore, and in the
lrious churches erected by Constan-
ne including the church of Santa II
gnese At the ceremonies at Saint
aters', the pope himself will o1ici-
e, while the highest cardinals and
elates of the Catholic church will
ficiate at the ceremonies in other
lurches. II
Special gold medals will be coined
honor oP tho celebration -oIamn Il