Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-28
POPE BENEDICT INTERESTED
IN FUTURE OF UNITED STATES
William P. Larkiin, KING hts of Columbus
Director of Overseas Work,
Describes Interview.

Pope Benedict XIV is keenly inter-
ested in the future of the United
States and surprises the American
visitor by his knowledge of promi-
nent men of this country, according
to William P. Larkin, director of
overseas work for the Knights of
Columbus, who visited the Vatican
recently.
half hour he spent with the head of
the Catholic Church and the impress
sions the prelate made upon him:
Mr.. Larkin's Narrative.
81 stepped into the study of his holt
ness the Pope, as any humble son of
the church might-a little nervous.
but a mighty lot curious, with great
deal of reverence to balance tne
two. Archbishop cerettii tine ar POPE $
Hearn Of New Rochelle. overseas
commissioner for the Knights of Co
lumbus, and myself, while Mgr
Tiberghien had the two of US under
his wing. He had no sooner passed
gone on through the different mag
nificent rooms-some of the LOU
chambers in the Vatican-on through
the doorway of the deep. but not too
imposing study. when Pope Benedict,
dressed in white, came toward us,
we met him. knelt and kissed the
pontiflcal ring and then seated our
selves before him.
Has Alert Personality.
"My first impression was of keen.
alert personality There Is about
BENEDICT XIV some facial quality that
gives immediate notice of the sheer
brain-power of the man. ne mas
deep set. snappy black eyes. quick ut
tie gestures of the hand while speak
ing, and a rich nervous VOICE. uee'ueu
Iy pleasant to hear.
1.-The Pope spoke to us In french
He surprised me with his kno"leoee
Of the names of men promlnent IN
New York and other American cities.
First of all he spoke of Archbishop
HAYES from the time when he was
a parish priest up until the day When
the Pope himself decided to appoint
him to the most important archdlo-
cese in the new world
His holiness, 1 found, was most
impressed with the future of Amer
lea. He shared the establishment or
OF her keen students of times at the
war effort this country had MADE;
and he reported that he had heard
nothing but words OF praise TOT the
American fighting man.
"I have met many of your young
fighting men, said the Pope. The
Knights of Columbus secretaries
bring them here for audience. They
always impress me with their hne,
vigorous youth.
Knew K. of c. chaplains.
"He even knew well many of the
chapIains who had gone overseas In
| the uniform Of the X. of c. He spoke
! of some of them affectionately by
! name. The Pope was quite familiar
with the fighting tradition of the 6?th
| Regiment, and when l related to him
, that Father Duffy, the chaplain OF
the 69th, had said, when importance
! by newspaper man for an inter-
| view, that the newspaper man could
say most anything in Father Duffy s
name so long as he didn't say any
thing that might offend the Pope, his
holiness laughed heartily. and l had
an opportunity to observe his white
Iteeth-although he is soundly past
middle age-he Is now, l think-ir
his sixty eighth year. yet he shows
none of the signs of an old man. He
questions with all the eagerness OF
youth. and when the answer is es-
pecially apt or of the nature of re.
partee, he smiles broadly and cries
Bravo"
n;d Mot Discuss Lea pue.