Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-11-12

room. l was third from the door on
the lower side Of the room, Marcia
beside me next, or second. A very
fat, enormously excited, middle aged
woman (from st. Louis was on my
left.
In. the hushed silence, the Pope
made the sign of the Cross above us
all. Turning to the right as he en-
tered the room, he went from person
to person, first extending his hand
for the kiss of Veneration, then, plac-
ing his hand upon the head of the
person, gave him or her, an individual
blessing. This he did to each. AS he
approached us, the woman next me
was nearly hysterical, overcome by
the emotion Of the moment, she was
weeping in great gasps, tears running
down her face. She kissed the Papal
hand, and laid her face against it.
With quick movement, the Pope
withdrew his hand, placed 1t upon her
head, blessed her. Then, pregnant
moment, 1t was my turn!
He was directly In front of me. His
firm, white hand, upon which blazed
the huge amethyst ring, papal ring
that descends from one Pope to an
other, and has through hundreds of
years, was extended to me. I kissed
the ring, wondering, in a flash, how
many thousands had done so before
me. The statue of st. Peter, in the
church, made of solid bronze, has the
big toe worn entirely flat, through the
kisses of veneration placed there
through the years.
The pope was dressed entirely in
heavy white wooden robes. On his
head, at the extreme crown of his
head, was the smallest little white
cap ever saw, almost. Honestly it
seemed no bigger than saucer, and
I do not think 1t was. It fitted, skin
tight, apparently. Around the neck
Of his gown was heavy gold chain,
from which depended golden cruci-
fix, set with pearls and magnificent
diamonds. On his feet were dark red
velvet slippers. cut Dutch style, or,
like the old fashioned carpet slippers
one used to see many years ago. They
had square toes and flat, low heels.
But they were covered with jewels
from toe to heel and around the sides.
Small pearls, emerelds, garnets,
rubies, turquoises, were set, or stitched
into the velvet.
When he had made the round of
the room, blessed each one in person,
then he stood in the doorway, every
eye fastened upon him. Raising his
hand, he spoke to us for about five
minutes, telling us to persist in a life
patterned upon that of Christ Jesus
outlining for us what were our
fundamental duties in the preserva-
ton of faith and in its propagation
and dissemination. Finishing his ex-
hortation, he made again above us,
the sign of the Gross, and turning,
passed into the room from which he
had come. Our audience was over.
Afterwards, had an opportunity of
being in the Throne Room and of
close examination of the Papal throne
chair. It stands upon dais, raised
three steps above the floor level. This
dais is a platform of steps, the lower
one of which is probably about 9 by
IL feet. The chair itself, is of solid
gold, with a seat and back of dark
red velvet. It is magnificently chased,
all portions except the upholstery be-
ing richly ornamented with rococco
work, Fittings, figures, etc. When he
is seated, it arches above the Papal
head fully 10 inches, with center
PLAGUE Of solid gold, in raised figures
depicting Christ blessing the people,
who stand and kneel round about Him.
You, of course, know that the Vati-
can is the Papal Palace, altho the
rooms actually occupied by the Pope
probably number not more than four
or five at the most. The Vatican is
the greatest museum, library, and re-
pository for magnificent collections Of
all sorts, that the world has. The
palace has more than 10000 rooms.
most of which, of course, the public
never sees.
I had the good fortune to visit the
library, which contains documents and
priceless books, among them the ac-
tual manuscripts from which several
of the new testament books were
translated. The Library also contains
the gifts made to the various Popes |
for many, many years, several hun
dreds. Many unique things are there,
presents from Kings and monarchs |
down to gifts from the most humble.
Their worth is incalculable, many are
ablaze with diamonds, crusted with