Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-09
POPE RECEIVES
PRESIDENT WILSON
Growing Event of American
Executives Two Days Visit
to Rome

Rome, Jan. 5.-President Wilson's two
days visit to the Italian capital ended
this evening at nine o'clock with his de-
parture for Paris. His program Satur-
day included a call upon Pope Benedict
at the Vatican and visit to the Amer
lean Episcopal Church In the morning
he was made member of of the Royal
Academy of Science. The president Of
the academy, Senator d. Onidio addressed
the President as the worthy representa-
tive Of the new world now revivifying
the ancient culture of the old.
POPE RECEIVES NEWSPAPERMEN
While these earlier functions were in
progress Pope Benedict was giving audi
ence to delegation Of American news
papermen, to whom he expressed the
greatest hopes for lasting peace and
appreciation OF the part America was
playing in the efforts to achieve it, and
voiced his confidence In the continuing
and increasing influence of the United
States In the worlds affairs.
PRESIDENT Wilson, after reaching the
vatican, was accompanied on his way
TO the throne room by a procession OF
vatican servants. The procession made
It's way through halls filled with antique
pictures and precious tapestries.
AS the President entered the ante
chamber to the Papal apartments. he
was preceded by the Pantificial chamber
lain. gendarmes In immense busbys. and
the Palatin Guard and the Noble Guard,
in their red TUNES, were drawn to greet
him.
President Wilson drove from the Pa
lazzo del Drago. the residence of Ambas-
sador by Mgr. Charles O'Hearn rector Of
the American College. The thousands
gathered along the streets cheered and
waved their hats when the automobile
passed.
AS the President entered. the Swiss
guard. In their multi-colored uniforms,
designed by Raphael presented arms.
Crossing the court yard, the presidential
automobile reached San Damaso, in the
centre of the Apostolic Palace. where
detachment of gendarmes heraldcd its
coming with bugles and at the same Tina
rendered military honors.
At the foot Of the grand staircase lead
ing to the pontifcal apartments the Presi.
dent was met by Mgr Canati. secretary
to the Congregation of Ceremonials, with
four Swiss guards in full uniform. and
two doorkecpers in their characteristic
costumes.
Proceeding within the palace. President
Wilson was met by the whole pontifical
court. headed by the major domo, Mgr.
Tacci, the master of the chamber. the
grand steward, and the commander of the
Swiss guard
Tho Presidents arrival was announced
by the master of the chamber to the Pope.
who awaited Mr.. Wilson in the throne
room. where two gilded ar1nchairs had
been placed. The President was admitted
Immediately to the presence of the Pope,
who was gowned In pure white.
In his conversation with President Will
son the Pontff expressed to him senti-
ments Identical with those he had stat
ed to the newspaper men and enlarged
upon the themes.
In view of the Presidents rejection OF
the Papal peace offer months ago the re-
ception of the American executive at the
Vatican had been looked forward to with
great interest in all official circles. and
the warm greetings exchanged by Presi-
dent and Pontiff were commented upon
with much satisfaction here.
POPE'S GIFT TO PRESIDENT
The Pope presented to the President
a handsome mosaic reproducing Guido
Rcni's famous picture of ST. Peter. The
mosaic was made In the Vatican grounds
by the ancient factory of the Vatican and
is a yard square. 1t has been valued at
$4,000.
Cardinal Gasparri presented to Presi-
| dent Wilson two copies of the modifca
ton of the canon law compiled by him
! self. One copy is bound in white parch-
! msnt and contains an autographed dedi-
| cation to President Wilson. The other ia
| in red leather and bears the following
! autograph: Homage to Princeton Uni
versity from Pietro Cardinal Gasparri.
Vatican. Rome"
| President Wilson thanked the Pope and
! Cardinal Gasparri heartily for the gifts
Early in the day some unofficial ar.
| rangements were made 10 have the Pres
ident address the populace in the Piazza
| Nenezia. This was supposed to be a
| great secret, and it was a secret for a
| few moments. 1t took just that long for
word of the arrangements to spread al
| over Rome. In half an hour the news
| papers were on the streets with --ths
| news, and in less than an hour the square
was packed with such a mass of humanity
that the American secret service men
! after one look, gasped and decided that
the President could not possibly get into
the square If he wanted to. 1t then turned
] out that President Wilson knew nothing
| whatever Of the unofficial arrangements
In the meantime. while thousands were
waiting in the Piazza Venezia, Other
! thousands were packed about the Quri'
| nal. hoping to catch glimpse OF thu
| President. who was receiving visiting del
egations.
Very little regarding the political de-
| velopments of the Presidents visit has
been permitted to become apparent. Thu
President while here continued the dis
cussion of Italy's proposd claims befor'
the peace conference, but the measure o.
the American support of them has no
yet been fully developed, and seem no
likly to be before further conferences