The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-23
Diplomacy and Finesse of James Slevin
Finally Won After Many Others
: Had Met Firm Refusal

the proceedings OF the Eucharistic
Congress. an important Roman Catho-
lie gathering that the Pope would be
glad to have brought usually before
him.
Finally. with the same painstaking
effort Slevin ~journeyed to London and.
after some negotiations, succeeded in
taking a close up motion picture Of
King George. smiling pleasantly and
lifting his hat, as he descended the
steps Of Buckingham Palace. This
would convey to the Pope's mind the
thought that II one Of the earth's great
rulers vas thus willing to have his
motion picture taken why not
another?
through his personal charm. Slevin
had come into the good graces Of Car
dinal Merry del Val. the Papal Secre-
tary Of State.
There Is the most wonderful man
! have ever met" said Slevin. "He is
great in every way. as a linguist. a
diplomat. a priest, an executive. He
Is a fine musician and he has a genius
for mechanics. In one lesson he
understood the complicated mechanism
OF the kinemacolor projecting ma
chine. as well as the method of taking
pictures in color"
The Cardinal permitted Slevin to
show him privately the films that had
been selected with so much care. and
was SO delighted with the exhibition
that he agreed to lay before the Holy
Father the matter Of a motion picture
exhibition in the Vatican. q thing
that had never taken place and that
was. In fact, looked upon as almost
sacrilegious. Great then was the gen.
eral surprise and great was Slevin's
JOY when his Holiness consented.
fixing the afternoon of June II, 1913.
at 4:3O for the occasion, and for the
place nothing less than the pontif's
private throne room. opening off from
his private apartments.
Here. indeed. was an innovation!
A motion picture machine in the heart
OF h Vatican! The Pope at the
movies!
As the important day approached
the demand for invitations 10 this ex-
traordinary entertainment became so
great tina the situation was cmbar-
RAISING. Every Cardinal. every Prince,
every monsignor in Rome wished to
be present, and all the distinguished
members OF Roman society. The Pore
was to have a motion picture show
and Immediately II became a great
social function. so much so that
finally. to avoid %jealousies. his Holt
ness decided to issue no invitations.
He would see the pictures alone with
his Secretary Of State and the MEM
hers NJ tho panal household A,,o hi.
two sisters might be present and his
niece, but no other women,
Slev!n purposed to make his per-
sonal appeal during the exhibition. and
for days he worked at his speech,
memorizing 1t In Italian so that moth
ing should be left to chance, and.
when the afternoon came. everything
was ready-the pictures and the man.
At half past 4 in the great red and
gold room Of the Vatican a small
company was gathered: Cardinal
Merry del Val. in red hat and flowing
red robes; two Knights Chamberlain
of the Sword and Cape, and the who'll.
body Of prelates Of the papal house
hold. all In full court regain. Also the
sweet faced sisters Of the Pope and
t'S AoPS hiVSV. <tisO JdIutS Sltvln,
in full evening dress. with a copy OF
his Italian speech folded in his breast
pocket.
Promptly on the hour the doors
opened, and the Pope, dressed in white,
entered without ceremony. walking
before his confessor. His Holmes,
did not seat himself, as on formal
occasions, upon the cushions OF the
carved and gilded throne chair. but
moved about simply, while the little
company came forward one by one
and, kneeling. kissed the great square
emerald of his ring. with its old fasn-
Toned pearl setting.
After this Cardinal Merry del Val
led forward the American, who haG
been standing apart. and presented
him to the Pope,
This is Mr.. Slevin, whom your
Holiness remembers said the Car
dinal.
"Oh, yes said Plus X, II remem-
Der very we'll" He referred to a pre-
vious occasion when the American
had been formally presented.
The Californian knelt and kissed
the ring, and then the Pontif raised
him graciously and said: ut IL very
kind of you to give this exhibition"
Here was Slevin's opportunity and
Immediately he began his speech. He
expressed gratitude for the immense
honor that had been lone him. This
was the proudest m OF his life.
Like all good Catholics IT had been HE
dearest wish to make a pilgrimage to
Rome to see his Holiness and to re-
ceive his blessing.