The Washington herald., 1922-07-16
LA SIGN0RA LRwi
ATTENDS Plus N IN
SPITE OF CRITICEk|
Aged Woman, Devoted tt
Pope's Mother, Orders
His Meals.
SIMPLICITY RULES
His Holiness Lives Entirely
Isolated in Private
Apartments.

ROME. July lS.-some interesting
particulars have now come TO neht
OF the private life OF Pope Plus xI
in the Vatican. Whenever . new
POPE Is made there 8, Away, n
curiosity TO know how he s, ADAPT
ing himself to his voluntary ,eclu-
sion. and what habits he preserves
Of his previous life. OF tn. present
Pope one can say that he confirm,
the opinion held by all thos. who
knew him well and used TO admin.
his susterity and simplicity.
His holiness has chosen ,or ri.
private apartments seven room, on
the third floor. overlooking IN.
Piazza San Pietro. Thes. ar. fur
nished with the greatest simplicity
there being no carpets. no curtains.
and no signs Of luxury. In IN.
bedroom there Is a brass bed,t.,d
above which hsngs a pIctur. a,
the Madonna of the Good COUNSEL
to whom Pope Plus XI is particyI, -Ix
devout; a mahogany chest OF dr,x.-.
small writing desk. and a c.b,n.,
W which his holiness keeps his pri-
p~pe
The Po.tfn's study.
In his study there is lar.
writing table, with a crucifx stand
Ing upon IL. No books or review.
are TO be seen Generally, NJ, hoI-
ness does his writing in the Kres,
library on the second floor. ana
when he takes reviews or book,
from there himself into the prf-,t.
apartment after he has nnisb.s
with them he brings them bsclr hi-,-
self to their places with the un,thod-
ical care OF the old librarian ".
does not like TO see anything a, ~.
writing table. and on everv b,,s
there is evidence Of his low. Cor
tidfness and order,
The Pope lives entirely i.ol,t.a A,
his private apartments, where no
guard IL on duty either durinr ~.
day or at night Nobody sIeens nesr
him He has three servants. who
take turns daily in waiting upon him
Attended BY Ared Woman.
But he is particularly looked sfte,
by an old woman. whose introductior
into the Vatican broke a long tran
tion' and aroused no little criticism
among the Pope's encourage This
woman. commonly called La signors
Linda, who is now over so years Of
age. had been for forty years the
faithful maid and companion OF the
mother of the Pope.
She was an orphan and sfsY-rs
Rstu took her out OF a convent when
still a girl When Signora Ratti died
LINDA. being alone. re-entered a con-
vent. but when Cardinal Ratti came
TO Milan as archbishop OF the diocese
he recalled her and made her his
housekeeper. A few months later n.
archbishop was elected Pope. and
Linda was on the point OF returning
TO the convent when a telegram ar
rived from Rome ordering her 20 &c
and live at the Vatican.
Devotion TO His Mother.
The decision Of Plus Sd met with
the respectful resistance Of the card
inals. and II is r1mored. even Of tn.
secretary OF state. a woman in the
Vatican. your holiness" Cit was re-
marked to HIND. None OF your pre-
decessors has ever done such a thing
We'll" was the reply. I'VE will set a
precedent for our successors.' Those
who know the affectonate attachment
Of Plus XI to his family. and particu
larly the great devotion he always
showed to -his mother. were not sur.
prised to hear that. in spite Of trsdi-
tion and opposition. he made good hi.
will.
The result lie that Signora Linds
lives now in the Vatican on the third
floor OF the wing looking toward.
Montemario. Her official title Is mbs
tress OF the wardrobe. and every "a,
she orders the Pope's extremely frugs
! meals