The New York herald., 1922-06-25
Intimate View of Plus XI. the New Pope

Bishop Ropp. the only other Catholic
prelate in Russia at the time, had
already been two years in Bolshe-
vik Jail
In Poland. and more particularly
in Upper Silesia at the time of
the Germano- Polish conflict, Ratti
showed great diplomatic tact In the
Upper Silesian conflict most of the
Catholic clergy. both Polish and Ger
man. had put their spiritual argu-
ments on the side of the nation with
which they sympathized. They told
their congregations that to be good
Catholics they must support their
national cause. There were real dan
ger that the Catholic Church in this
part of Europe would be drawn into
a bitter frontier fight. Ratti inter-
vened at this point and took the
church out Of the prize ring.
Is Friendly to England.
The Pope has very friendly feel
ing toward England. His most init
mate friend at the Vatican Library
was an English Episcopalian named
Bannister. 1t was Bannister who.
though not Catholic, did much of
the research work which led to the
reintroduction of old church music
into the ritual. Benedict XIV. and
Plus XI. were particularly inter
ested in this research. When Car
dinal Ratti went on a trip to Eng
land, Bannister arranged that he re-
ceive a most cordial reception. Ratti
visited the great English universities
and was presented here with full
sets of the books of the Oxford and
Cambridge presses for the Vatican
Library. Ratti left with a warm
feeling for the English. which has
reflections to-day in the very con-
ciliatory attitude which the Pope Is
known to haye toward the Anglican
Church.
In all his political dealings Car
dinal Ratti has always been the
churchman, never taking sides in po-
litical issues and only intervening
in so far as necessary to remind
people of their higher obligations as
Christians. Ratti had the votes of
the French and Italian Cardinals at
the Conclave. but it would be a mis-
take to call him pro- French or pro-
Italian. OF Ratti can be said, as
generally has been the case with
Cardinals who become Popes. that
they change their political horizons
with their robes. They cease to be
pro-anything but Vatican.
Plus XI. gave personal attention
to the small Palatine Guard of
Honor, the battalion of Swiss Papal
troops at the Vatican. Benedict XIV.
began reorganizing them. and Plus
XI. saw to it that the work was COM
pleted. He then held a review of
the troops in the Palatine Gardens
Some who were present say that Plus
XI. assumed a businesslike. an al
most military, air of a general re-
viewing his troops. At the close he
distributed decorations and then,
turning to the commander, re-
marked: 81 reviewed many troops
in Poland, and now that / am re-
viewing my own l am very proud"
Pope Plus divides his time very
methodically. He dimes and rests
much as the Milan business man
would live who has a heavy days
work to perform rather than as
recluse in seclusion who fasts for
the good of his soul
The New Pope Rises at 6 A. M.
From the light in his apartment it
is presumed that Plus XI. rises at 6.
The Pope says mass at 1880 o'clock.
He breakfasts at $3.50 o'clock. taking
the simple continental breakfast of
coffee. rolls and butter. At o'clock
he receives the Secretary of State.
Cardinal Gaspari, with the excep-
ton of Tuesday. when he works
with Mgr. Borgognini, the secretary
or special ecclesiastical business. and
Friday, when Mgr Pizzardi replaces
the Secretary of State.
The Pope has public and private
audiences between 10 and o'clock