The Washington times., 1925-08-19
POPE Plus &c IS
FEW HOURS OF
REAL REST
Manifold Duties at Vatican
Prevent Him From Getting
Much Sleep
BY international News Service,

BY international News Service.
ROME, Aug. 1s.-of the occu-
PANTS OF Saint Peters chair pre-
vious to the present holy father
there are various Biographies and
studies which throw light on their
lives and characteristics, but IN re-
gard to the intimate life and per-
sonal habits of Plus XII there has
always been certain amount OF
reserve. "Pappa Ratti" does not
care to be followed with idle curl
osity into his private life, and his
dignified attitude repels foolish and
impairment gossip. However, there
are many things known about him
and his, daily routine which are full
of interest and can only arouse the
sympathy and understanding of his
admirers.
HIS predecessor, Benedetto XIV,
was an iHdefatigable worker, and
probably shortened his days by his
excessive labors. Plus XI is
equally Industrious. He has. how
ever, the advantage Of long expert
ence in study and works with
method and system.
Everything Ship Shape
When he was the project Of the
Anabrosfan Library at Milan he
had in. his. room for work three
large tables, and on these was the
material of divers works which
were being arranged by him for
publication. Now that he is Pope,
he has not abandoned this system
(which he observed also when he
was the project of the Vatican Ii
brary
Whoever has the honor to be
received in private audience by His
Holiness may see In the lagre room
which is his private library and
study, huge table covered with
papers and pamphlets, but all in
perfect order and arrangement, so
that when Plus XI rises from his
own writing table in the window,
his hand among the various docu'
rnents. There is very much for
him to do in the work Of the
church, but by rising early and
working late he accomplishes his
daily task and is able to have a
little time for his chosen studies.
He is UP in the morning with
the first light, and from his bed
room passes into the private chapel,
which Is the same room in which
Benedetto XIV died. Here his two
secretaries, whom he brought from
Milan, await him, and they assist
IN dressing him for the mass
which they themselves must serve
That mass ended, one Of the seeFe-
karies recites another,s a mass OF
thanksgiving, to which the Pope
listens.
He then goes into his dining
room for his simple, breakfast or
coffee and milk, except on fast
days, when he has only black cof-
fee. Here he looks over his pri-
yate correspondence, reads the
newspapers and reviews. after
which, at nine. O'Clock precisely,
he descends from his own apart
n1ents on the third floor to the
second, where is the Papal apart
ndent for receptions and audiences.
Confers with Secretary
His Secretary Of State comes
to him here and tells him every
thing of Importance and the af
fairs of the day which demand
his special attention to all of
which His Holiness listens with
care and gives his views. and
ofders what is to be done, and
these matters occupy the time or
dinarily until ten o'clock. After
this come the private audiences
when the public audiences take
place. It is only after these that
the Pope permits himself a SIMPLE
luncheon. eaten, according to Gus
tom, alone, and the. modest meal
terminates with a cup of coffee.
When one remembers that Don
Archfiie Patti was ALWAYS an an.
thusiastic. mountaineer and Alpine
climber, one can realize the sacri-
flee it must be for him to give up
all those expeditions to saow-cov.
cred heights where the free, fresh
air invigorates tired body. and
brain. Now nothing remains but
tame walks in the Vatican gardens
which he never fails to take every
afternoon, in bad weather as well
as fine. He remains in the gar
dens from an hour to an. hour and
4 half, and then comes in to hold
other. audiences.
At 8 he recites the Rosary to
the members Of his household, at
. has a frugal supper, and at 10
retires for the night. But not to
sleep. Those who know which
are the windows of the Pope, as
they pass by night through the
Piazza. of Saint Peters, often see
them illuminated far beyond mid
night. There His Holiness wakes
and prays, or studies and prepares
for other work, and His hours of
actual rest are short indeed. His
is a life of constant sacrifice and
self-abnegation. supported by a
strict adherence to duty and be-
lief in his mission