THE POPE AND HIS POOR RELATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 13

THE POPE AND HIS POOR RELATIONS.

I always cut out everything I find in tho papers with regard to tho Pope and his poor relations (writes "T.P." in M.A.P.). It ie a subject to me of neverending interest, especially as it shows what a fino, simple, deniopratio naturo tho Pope maintains amid tho intoxicating grandeur of his exalted position : "Tho death of a cousin of Pope Pius X. has again drawn attention to tho anomalous position of somo of his family. I need not go into the Roman question, for all the world knows of the mortal feud between tho Vatican and tho Quirinal, between Pope nnd King. And still at least two of tho f owner's near relations havo sworn to 'be faithful to tho inseparable good of King nnd country.' "Tho Pope's only brother is a villnge postman, and the young man just dead, his cousin, wan a pohco official, both obliged by their oaths, in case of the question coming up, to choose the King's part in any dispute with tho Vatican. "The Popo's brother Angolo, when Pius X. camo to the Pontifical throne, wished to resign, nnd a number of letters passed bet ween tho brothers on tho subject, but Pius X, would not consent to anything of the kind. " 'It is your living,' he said. 'If you give it up, what will become of you?' "And to such logic Angelo had no answer, as there was no hint in tho papal words that he would bo looked after by tho Church. Thus, ho continues to give out letters and wear the King's uniform, giving his outward allegiance to the Sovereign whom his brother refuses to acknowledge, nnd privately praying tho intter for forgiveness for betraying him." That refusal of tho Popo to give a fat place to one of his relatives — and he must have plenty of them in a court so sumptuous and so largo ns that of tho Papacy — I call very noble and very touching.