The Irish standard., 1914-08-29
from the National Capitol
National Capital NIourns Death of
Our Holy Father,
BY Stanton L1Wton

Our Holy Father.
The news of the death of our Holy
Father, was received with profound
sorrow in the national capital, where
he was known to many Of its resi-
dents who had journeyed to the
Eternal City, for the special privilege
of an audience with him.
His life is too we'll known to re-
count it here-his reign as pope be-
ing characterized by that spirit of
modesty which never abandoned him
and by that strong religious feel
ing which made him choose as motto
ITO restore everything to Christ"
It's pleasure to recall that the
first pilgrimage of his pontificate was
an American one, which had left the
United States at the beginning of
July, 1908.
On their way to Europe. Pope Leo
XIII, who should have received
them, died, SO that they were in
Rome during the conclave, and the
day on which Pope Plus X was Sc
lected and descended into Saint Pet
er's to give his first benediction they
were in the basilica, with two Ameri-
can flags waving above the immense
crowd assembled there, and joining
hurrahs to the cheering which greet
ed the venerable figure.
Some days after the same Ameri-
can pilgrimage was in the vatican
gardens, when suddenly, the work
of the officials having already begun
they were ordered away as the pope
was seen approaching. With true
American determination, they OBJ
jected that they did not want to
leave. Our Holy Father who under
stood something of what was going
on, inquired, and Cardinal Gibbons,
who was among those who accompa-
MED them, explained that it was a
pilgrimage of his countrymen who
desired to pay homage to the Holy
Father. They had asked for an au-
dience and were waiting for the ap-
pointed day. The pontiff Immediate
ly said there was no necessity to wait
and he would receive the Americans
at once in the adjoining Museum
lapidarium. which he did, and then
held in his hands and blessed the
two American flags. which are still
preserved. one in Rome and one in
New York.
The two most important acts of his
reign In regard to Washington were,
the sending of His Excellency, Most
Rev. John BOnzano, to be the success
sor of Cardinal Diomede Falconio, as
apostolic delegate, and renewing the
privilege previously conceded to the
Catholic University of America Ga
subject near and dear to his hearth
of seeking assistance by an annual
collection taken up in all the church
es of the United States.
AS reward for his excellent ad-
ministration of the university he be-
slowed on its rector, Monsignor Thos
]. Shahan. the title of bishop.
The vatican's official announce
ment of the death of the Pope was re-
ceived by Most Rev. John Bonzana at
1880 o'clock Thursday morning. The
apostolic delegate at the time was
celebrating mass in the little chapel
of the legation. The announcement
came from Cardinal Merry Del Val,
papel secretary of state, was dated
at Rome at 4:44 Thursday morning
and said: "Holy Father Plus X died
this night"
Upon receipt of the news from
Rome, Archbishop Bonzano said, be-
fore going into strict seclusion: "The
news of the Pope's death grieves me
more than can say, and my feeling
today is that of thousands upon thou
sands of Americans and other races
who loved, honored and respected
the Pope. He was more than head of
the church. He was the loved father
of every good Catholic. His loss Is
a deep blow throughout the world,
and especially to America which he
loved and dealt with accordingly"
Very Rev. Geo. A. Dougherty, vice.
rector of the Catholic University,
said: "Pope Plus X was a great
friend and admirer of the Catholic
University, and we feel that his
death is the greatest loss the church
can suffer at the present time. In
the eleven years in which he reigned
he has accomplished many great
works. His loss is most deeply felt
at the university. of which he was a
most special friend and benefactor,
aad In which he took a great interest.
The Holy Father on the occasion of
the visit Of DR.. Shahan. rector of the
university. last May, expressed the
greatest in the work accomplished at
the university, and took occasion to
manifest his special love and admira-
ton for all things American"
AT the request of President Will
son. the following telegram was sent
to the vatican by Secretary Bryan:
The president desires me to ex-
press his sense of the great loss