Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-02
Pope Reaches
 His 78th Year
WILL OBSERVE BIRTHDAY VERY
 QUIETLY TODAY.
FAREWELL AUDIENCE
Cardinal oConneiI and Two compan. ions Received-Pontiff Bestows His Blessing Upon a Boston Hospital.

Rome, June 1.-The pope will be 7S years of age tomorrow and innumer- able telegrans and messages from all parts Of the world have arrived at the Vatican, felicitating the pontiff and wishing him many happy years of life. The pope will spend his birthday very quietly admitting only relatives and members of his entourage to his apart ments.
 Farewell Audience to Cardinal O'Con-
 nell.
 The pope this morning received in farewell audience Cardinal William H. O'Connell, archbishop of Boston, who is leaving for home on Wednesday, When the cardinal entered the pri- vate library, the pope met him half way, saying:
 'T am sorry you are going, very sorry
 The pontiff, notwithstanding three hours hard work which he had al- ready accomplished, besides the fa- strong and altered as when Cardinal O'Connel1 saw him on May 21. They converSed at length on many import ant ecclesiastical questions. The pope inquired regarding the missionary con- gress which is to meet at Boston In October, saying that he understood it would be attended by about sixty bishops from the United States and Canada. He wished the congress ev- cry success.
 Inquiry for Cardinals Friends.
 When the audience was about to end, the pope, recalling the fact that when he received Cardinal O'Connel1 on the previous occasion the cardinals companions, Mgr. Michael J. Splaine, of the archdiocese of Boston, and Dr. J. R. Slattery, superintendent of St. EliZabeth's hospital, Boston, remained in the ante-roon1, foregoing the honor of being received by the pope because they were not in regulation attire asked:
 Where are your friends 2"
 The cardinal replied:
 Tn the ante chamber
 T hope" said the pope laughingly, that this time they are suitably cos tuned to appear before me"
 Two Americans Received,
 Receiving an affirmative answer, the pope requested that Mgr. Splaine and Dr. SlatteEy be presented. He rec Ognized the former immediately and congratulated him upon his fluent Italian, Mgr. Splaine having learned the language while he was a student of the American college in Rome when Cardinal O'Connen was rector
 After giving him his hand to kiss the pope kept Dr. Slattery's hand in his, saying: T pray that your mis- sion as a Christian physician will bear blessed fruits"
 Afterwards the pontiff blessed St Elizabeth's hospital and the work of the Franciscan Sisters there and also the doctors and nurses.
 pr. Slattery Impressed by Pope's
 Condition.
 Dr. Slattery was the first physician of any nationality received by the pope since his illness, with the ex- ception of his personal attendants The moment he was outside the aud fence room. Dr. Slattery was sur rounded by officials of the Vatican and others, all of whom were anxious to learn of the impression he had re- cetved. In describing that impres- sion, Dr. Slattery said:
 No doctor could fail to note that the pope has robust and healthy fibre I could tell from the grasp Of his hand and the vivacity of his eyes that there remains plenty of life, that the pontiff has many years to live. While hold ing my hand I felt it as in wise. The Holy Father does not look in the least like man who has been seriously i'll. I could see by his general ap- pearanoe and the color of his skin that his circulation is excellent"