The Penn's Grove record., 1919-01-17
President Visits The Pope
The Regal SplendOr of st. Peter.
He Did Not Kiss His Big Toe

Catholic Standard and Times, Jan. Il.
History was made at the Vatican
on Saturday, January 4th, when His
Holiness Benedict XIV, the supreme
head of Christendom and Vicar of
Christ or earth, greeted with out
stretched hands for the first time in
the annals of the world, the Chief Ex-
ecutive of this glorious Republic of
the West, Woodrow Wilson, President
of the United States. Details of the
meeting and subsequent happenings
are related in cable dispatches of the
Associated Press.
President Wilson drove from the
Palazzo del Rago, the residence of
Ambassador Page, to the Vatican ac-
companied by Monsignor O'Hearn,
rector of the American College.
Thousands gathered along the streets
cheered and waved their hats when
the automobile passed.
Met By POntifical Court
AS the President entered, the Swiss
signed by Raphael, presented arms.
Crossing the courtyard, the Presiden-
tial automobile reached San Damaso,
in the center of the Apostolic palace,
where a detachment of gendarmes
heralded its coming with bugles and
at the same time rendered military
honors.
At the foot of the grand staircase
leading to the Pontifical apartment
the President was met by Monsignor
Canati, secretary of the Congregation
of Ceremonials, with four Swiss
Guards in full uniform and two door
keepers in their characteristic cos
tunes.
The President and Monsignor Canati
shook hands, the Secretary extending
a formal welcome. They made their
way to C%lementine Hall, one of the
largest and most beautiful in the Vat
lean, where twenty-four Swiss Guards
with halberds presented arms.
President Wilson vas met by the
Pontifcal Court, headed by the major
domo, Monsignor Tacci; the master of
the chamber, the grand steward and
the commander of the Swiss Guard.
No Introduction Needed
Virtually no introduction was neces-
sary, as the Pontiff came forward to
meet the President holding out his
hand. The conversation lasted about
twenty minutes, the President after
ward leaving, with the same cortege
and the same honors, to pay a visit to
Cardinal Gasparri, the Papal Secre-
tary of State. This visit over, Presi-
dent Wilson was escorted to his au-
tQmobile.
Immense crowds lined the route to
the Vatican from the residence of
Thomas Nelson Page, the American
Ambassador, cheering and waving
flags, their shouts ringing loud and
clear. Everywhere a continuous
shower of flowers fell upon the Presi-
dent, while cries of "Viva American"
dominated the profusion of noise.
From a window in the Grand Hall,
where Pope Benedict and President
Wilson sat all of Rome and st.
Peters Square could be seen. The
square was a mass of cheering peo-
pie. President Wilson, after talking
with the Pontiff a moment, arose
walked to the window and waved his
of the crowd.
After having conversed for half an
hour with Pope Benedict. President
Wilson presented to the Holy Father
several members of the encourage.
These included w. H. Moran, chief of
the American Secret Service; the
Presidents Secretary for his tour and
The clerks of his suite, comprising in
all more than a dozen individuals.
Pope Benedict conversed with each in
turn.
In his conversation with President
Wilson the Pontiff gave expression to
identical sentiments and enlarged upon
the themes. The reception of the
American Executive was looked for
ward to with great interest in all Of
fetal circles, and the warm greetings
exchanged by President and Pontiff
We're commented upon with much sat
isfaction here.
Gifts To The President
The Holy Father presented to Pres
ident Wilson a handsome mosaic, re-
producing Guido RENTS famous pic
ture of St. Peter. The mosaic was
made in the Vactican grounds by the
ancient mosaic factory of the Vactican
and is a yard square. The mosaic
has been valued at $4,000.
CdIulfdl GdSpdIIl pIcSeHISu 1A0ol-
dent Wilson with two copies of the
modification of the Canon Law, COM
piled by Cardinal Gasparri. One copy
is bound in white parchment and con-
tains an autographed dedication to
President Wilson. The other is in red
leather and bears the following auto
graph: Homage to Princeton Uni
vorsity from Pietro Cardinal Gasparri,
Vatican, Rome
President Wilson thanked the Pope
and Cardinal Gasparri heartily for
their gifts.
After his visit to the Vatican Pres
ident Wilson returned to the Ameri-
can Embassy, whence he drove, with
Mrs. Wilson, to the American Protes-
tant Episcopal Church. He was &C
companied by Thomas Nelson Page,
the American Ambassador; Brigadier
General William H. Harris, U. S. A,
and Count Bruschi-F algari, gentle
man-in-waiting to King Victor En-
manuel, and Countess Bruschi-Falgari,
Il 49, J@1-