THE NEW POPE

Evening Star, Issue 17927, 24 March 1922, Page 7

THE NEW POPE

HIS i FRUGAL HfISITS.

HOW HE ENRICHED A LIBRARY,

Portraits of the now Pope and state ments by men who know him well (says M English paper) show that he » a decade younger than his years. p s ..f e * hind spectacles look fatigued with study, but the reel of his features suggest the vigor of a man of action, “ an ardent mountaineer. His face is si < > with a remarkably broad forehead, and . has an ' expression of benevolence rathei than austerity. . , +1 t t,„ The now Pope’s friends say that no speaks seldom, but always to the I-' • n and usually with characteristic humor. His habits are extremely fiugH. ho takes practically only one meal a d.y. Pius XL has a, sister and three brothers in the Milan district, who say that whi„e they feel proud that Aclnlle has been Erf to St, Ch "‘ r - Ein'S that they will come more rarely m co tact with him in the future.^ English scholars speak of tne now Pope. s accessibility and his generous readineap to assist them in their researches when he was Sub-prefect of the \atican Libia.ry, while his friends in Manchester testify to IS amiability and remarkable command of language. Only one other lope Ims been so proficient in the English tongue. When Father Ratti was Director of the Ambrosian Library in Milan he encouraged one of his neighbors, u merchant, to import a collection of 1,600 Arabic manuscripts which he had-acquired in Arabia during bis commercial journeys. -these were smuggled into Italy in coffee sacks. The price demanded (30,C00 ire) exceeded the library’s means; but bather Ratti did •not rest till be had persuaded ten mends to donate 5,000 lire each, with the result that be immensely enriched the Übrarv in antique works on astronomy, natural sciences, and a dictionary of Arabic poets, which are believed to be unique.

THE POPE'S CHOICE OF NAME,

POLISH TRIBUTE TO HIS COURAGE

In reply to the traditional question why he chose his now name, the Pope replied : “ I was born under Pius, I came to Rome under Pius, Pius is a name of peace, therefore Pius shall bo my name. But if Pins XT. is a peaceable man, he is certainly not a. timid one (writes a correspondent of ‘Tlie Times’), for-all who wore present in Warsaw during the Bolshevik advance speak m the warmest terms of his courage. When all other diplomats left he declared that he was not a diplomat like the others, and hio duty was to remain by his flock even under a Bolshevik domination. iwo days before the opening of the Conclave the Polish Minister to the T atican handed him the decoration of the Order of the White Eagle on behalf of.the lohsh Government. The Polish Cardinal, Kakowski, says that, he will never forget how Mgr. Ratti visited the troops on the front in spite of the danger, and declares that Poland is delighted at his election, since ho travelled much in that country and made himself generally beloved. Mgr. Ratti also played a very important jxirb in the relations between Po-UUkI and the Vatican at the time when Poland regained her freedom. It was Cardinal Kakowski who consecrated the future Pope as Archbishop of Milan. The fact that the Pope has requested Cardinal Gasparri to remain in office as Secretary of State is considered proot that ho intends to carry on the policy of the late Pope. There are extravagant statements as to hie policy; but there is reason to believe that he is not so anti-German as people assert, and it m stated that he deprecated the interference of Polish priests in the propaganda work in Silesia. . ~ Also, although he proved, himself au ardent patriot during the war, it is not considered likely that _he _ will attempt larvv immediate reconciliation with tko Quirinal. Some of those who know the new Pope well say that ho is strong-willed and energetic.

CARDINAL BATH'S ELECTION

blessing of the crowds,

NEW PRECEDENT.

The Rome correspondent of ‘TheTimes describes the scene which followed Cardinal Ratti’s election as Pope:—

About twenty minutes after Cardinal Bislet-i, made the announcement of the election of Cardinal Haiti the fitter appeared on the outer balcony of St. leter a overlooking the square, and blessed the crowd of people assembled there. This is the first time that a Pope has appeared in public since 1870, and is a departure from the practice of the Popes elected since that date, who gave- their blessing within the basilica, and such is not without political significance. The presence on the balcony of the newly-chosen Pontiff was greeted with enthusiastic cheering, th© Italian troops in tho square presenting arms. To-day the Pops by this gesture of friendliness has brought the Roman, question a long step towards solution. _ To-day is a memorable day in the history of Rome. Fifty-two years ago tho Pope of that day, Pius IX., shut himself up in tho Vatican as a protest against the lews of his temporal power. To-day Pius XI. uttered tho traditional blessing “urhi et orbi” from tho outer balcony of St. Peter’s, instead of from tho inside one. There can have boon no more striking token of good-will towards tho Italian Government. This morning tho crowd was much smaller than yesterday, partly because everyone had come to tho conclusion that tho 'Conclave was going to await the arrival of at least ono of th© three North American cardinals, and partly because the skies wore grey and heavy with rain. Tho great square was covered, with umbrellas Hko groat black toadstools. But tho p^ - tienco of tho people was rewarded on this occasion, for suddenly, at 11.35, a email wisp of smoko cam©‘from the famous chimney. Tho color could not bo distinguished, but there was so little of it that tho cry went up: “ Tho Pope is made; w© have our Pope,” and a few moments later thoro appeared on ono of tho terraces of tho Vatican, in a. part of tho building which was reserved for tho Conclave, a row of priests under umbrellas.

It was obvious that these Conclavists would not have waited there in tho rain unless tho Pope had been elected,_ and therefore tho crowd contained its impatience as best it could. After almost an hour the closed doors that open on tho centre balcony of St. Peter’s wore thrown open, and tho sacristans let down over the balustrade a large doth with a wide crimson border and tho Papal anus embroidered' on a white satin centre. Another wait, and then “ umbrellas down ” so that people could get a clear view of Cardinal Biswti, who had appeared., on the balcony, preceded by the Golden Cross. The sacristans signalled for silence, and the cardinal’s voice rang out over the square: “I announce you great joy. We' have a Pope,” and then followed the name of Cardinal Ratti. Owing to the height of the building there was serious confusion, for some of the listeners thought that Cardinal Tacci and not Cardinal Ratti had been made Pope, with the result, that tho newspapers _ brought put special editions announcing Cardinal Tacci’s election; and one had the extraordinary spectacle of people arguing violently over the identity of the Pope, and supporting their arguments with different announcements in different editions of the same newspaper. When the dicers of the ncople had died down Cardinal Bisloti could be heard again announcing that the new Pope had taken the'name of Pius XL

But then came a great surprise. The iron gates of St. Peter’s were not flung wide to admit the people for tho traditional blessing, of ther new. Pope, ahdthe glass door of the outer balcony remained

open. Twenty minutes later members of the Pontifical Guard, who wore on, tlw flat roof of Bernini’s corridor, on tho right of the square, suddenly divided, and a detachment of tho Noble and Palatine Guards in full dress uniform took their place. Captain Prince Aldobrandini, of tho Noble Guard, boro with him the Papal Standard, which had not been outside the Vatican since • 1870, and presently the Pope himself appeared on. tho balcony, followed by many of tho cardinals, including Cardinal Merry del Val, who is supposed to bo tho leader of tho in trailfiigoants. No man, whatever his creed, could fail to be thrilled by the sight of tho crowd standing there hatless in the rain while tho Pope gave Rome and tho world his first Papal blessing. The utterance of the blessing from the outer balcony has caused such a sensation that already an official statement has been issued modifying its j effect. In it the Marshal of tho Conclave states that tho new Popo has “ given his blessing from tho external balcony with particular intention that the blessing itself should bo not only to those present in the Piazza di S. Pietro, not only to Romo and to Italy, but to all nations and peoples, and that it may bring to everybody the wish and tlio announcement of that universal peace which we all so much desire.”

But this statement, destined probably to calm the anxiety of foreign and Italian cardinals who fear an immediate agreement with Italy, must not prevent Romo from hailin" Pius XI. as “an Italian Pope.” Italian troops in tho square presented arras to the new Pope, as the Italian Government recognises tho Pope as a Sovereign. Indeed, on one occasion, when there was a fire at the Italian mint, which was then near tho Vatican, Pope Leo XTIT. left tho Vatican garden for a moment, and was recognised by Italian soldiers, who immediately presented anus.

SCHOLAR AND ALPINIST

SOME REMINISCENCES

Tho election of Cardinal Ratti is an event for Milan, where ho bad boon Prefect of tho Ambrosian Library, and since last September archbishop of the dioceso (writes another correspondent of ‘Tho Times’), But it is an even greater event for Doric, the small village where the new Popo was horn sixty-five years ago. Dcsio is about twenty miles from Milan, on tho way to the Lake of Como, and when I drove there this afternoon I found the population in tho streets commenting with excitement on the glorious news, while the bells of tho church were, pealing joyously. “So,” said the local chemist to mo, “ Desio will go down in history now!” A crowd of peasants, women, and children had gathered also in front of the two-storied house where Popo Pius XI. was born. There lived, for a long time, his father, Francesco Ratti, director of a silk factory, not a rich man, but of comfortable means. Fiux XL was tho third 1 born of six children, of whom, besides himself, only two arc still living—Forino, the eldest, and Camilla, the last bom. The new Pope passed his boyhood in Desio. where I was shown the school ho frequented. In tho spring and summer the teacher, Father Volentori, used to, give lessons out of doors in an arcade covered with ivy, which is still well preserved. Tho new Popo has always been fond of his native place, which ho visited every summer, and last September, before making hia solemn entry into "Milan as car-dinal-archbishop, ho passed a few days there in the house of a friend, a retired solicitor. 1 sought out the latter and had a short talk with him.

Achilla and myself (ho said) were chums, and I could toll you a lot about our games and escapades. As a boy tho new Pope was noted for his love of books and mountains, and I assure yon it -would bo difficult to say which ho loves the better. At the ago of ten w© used to go for excursions over the near hills, and ho distinguished himself by his agility and endurance. From our hills ho turned to tho Alps, becoming a great mountaineer. Of his climbs, tlireo are particularly impor-tant-—the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and Monte Rosa. He was the first to reach the summit of Mont Blanc from tho Italian side, and tho road which ho waa tho first to traverse is still known by his name and that of Mgr Grassclli, his companion. In- 1890 he reached 1 the DufourSpitze, Monte Rosa, being tho first to cross the Zumstein Peak. This ascent bo described in tho bulletin of tho Italian Alpine Club, of which he was a member.

Wo were often together in these excursions, and I never saw a stronger or more enthusiastic climber. He constantly carried with him his prayer book, and would occasionally rest and read a few sentences from it. What was more extraordinary to me was his perfect calm, oven in difficult moments. I remember once on. the Glacier of Paradiso our guide fell into a crevasse, and would have perished there had it not been for the presence of mind, skill, and strength with which Ratti held the ropes, and, little, by little, succeeded in drawing the guide back to safety. Even at tho age of fifty he did some good climbs; but then ho wont to Rome, far away from his beloved Alps. I remember that when he loft Milan in 1913 I said to him: “You arc going away with a black hat, and will return with a red hat, and in time you will arrive at tho white hat.” His reply was: “This is a tremendous prophecy.” On my return from Desio I called on Signora Camilla Ratti, a woman of about fifty, sister of the new Pope. She lives here in Milan alone in a modest flat, and I found her in tears.

“ I am pleased,” she told me, “at the great honor bestowed on my family, but I am so sorry to lose my brother, who was always good and kind to mo. lam afraid I shall see him my littlo now. I was happy when ho returned to Milan as a cardinal, but my happiness was to last only five months, during which time I hhd tho opportunity of seeing him almost every day.” I asked her what her brother had told her when leaving for the Conclave, and she replied: “My brother is a very reserved man, and docs not like talking about himself. told mo, however, that he hoped and wished to return to his beloved Milan. Tho nows of his election came as a surprise to mo. I did not expect it.” _ Where the news of Cardinal Ratti’s election was expected was at tho Ambrosian Library, where tho memories of his capacity, intelligence, and learning were such that it was freely predicted that some day he would reach the highest honors. The new Pope passed nearly twenty-three years amid codices, papyri, and incunabula as rector of the famous Library founded in tbo seventeenth century by Cardinal Frederick Bomunco. As tho librarian he distinguished himself by the great courtesy_ he extended towards all Italian and foreign students and tho help bo o- a ve them in thoir researches. I Lis bibliographical and historical essays number nearly 100. Ho was an Orientalist and a student of art. Deeply versed in Milanese history, he wrote about primitive poets, bishops, and art monuments of Milan. His contributions to tho bibliography of Pc. trarch and Leonardo are much appreciated.

His Holiness is a strongly-built man, rather short; his hair, onco red, is now almost entirely white; but his eyes preservo a. youthful liveliness. There is an unmistakable air of dignity and reserve about him. Ho is not talkative, but his remarks are always direct, impressive, and sometimes even distinguished by their Milanese humor. He is profoundly pious. His habits are simple, bis manners tactful, his aspect austere, but inspiring confidence. One feels in bis presence to be before a superior man. A DISTINGUISHED CHOICE. MGR RATIIT CAREER. Cardinal Ratti throughout his actual life has been not only a scholar but also a priest (writes a Roman Catholic contributor to ‘Tho Times ’). In Milan during the years of his librarianship he acted as chaplain to Oie nuns of tho Cenaclo. an order which has several houses in England, and there in tho convent bo used to gather young people about him of many different stations in life, having a particular prediction for tho work which ho undertook for little chimney-sweeps. It was a spectacle which gave edification to

many to boo tho learned Prefect of tho Ambrosian Library spending tho, afternoons of feast days in teaching catechism to tho ragged little urchins whom ho brought together from all parts into tho church of St. Sepoloro. In 1911 Mgr Haiti was called to Rome to undertake, in succession to Father Ehrlo, tho'practical administration of the Vatican Library; but his discharge of these functions terminated soon after the European War broke out. In, 1918, before tho war had ended, the late Pope sent him as Apostolic Visitor to Poland, and l when that country was granted its indepen dcnco Mgr Patti waa appointed Apostolic Nuncio in tho now Republic, while to lend dignity to that office ho was created in July, 1919, titular Archbishop of Lopanto. As a diplomatist Mgr Ratti is said to have displayed remarkable, tact in very delicate situations, and to have won golden opinions on alt, sides. It is also stated that ho was successful in, securing tho liberation of many prisoners and hostages from tho Russian Bolsheviks, including tho Archbishop of Mohilcft and the Bishop of Minsk. In tho year 1921 Mgr Ratti was recalled to Italy to •bo created Archbishop of Milan, and at the same timo cardinal. In point of sonority, therefore, ho was amongst tho youngest of tho Sacred College. AN APPRECIATION. Father Bernard Vaughan writes: The election of tho Cardinal Archbishop of 'Milan, Achilla Ratti, to the Chair of Blessed Peter the Fisherman, gives entire satisfaction to the whole Catholic world. Ho is known to he a learned man and a great scholar. Ho held' a high office in the Vatican Library, and is not unversed in diplomacy, for ho was sent by his predecessor, Benedict XV., on a special mission to Austria. Ho is said to bo a modern rival, of the famous Cardinal Mczzofanti, who knew moro languages than one would venture to enumerate. I remember meeting our present Holy Father when in Rome, and was struck by' his vigorous, alert, and magnetic personality. He is perhaps unique among our Sovereign Pontiffs in that in his earlier days ho was an ardent Alpine climber. His election, at the age of sixty-four finds him in his prime for tho arduous and responsible work of ruling the world-wide Church of Christ on earth, 'the'fact that ho has been translated, after only a few months’ t,enure of the ancient See of Milan to his present exalted position is a ennvincjing guarantee that he is endowed, with, those .gifts and finalities which fit him to carry out the multifarious and alloncrosring duties of his sacred office. The whole Catholic world greets Pius XI. with filial devotion, and accepts him with whole-hearted lovalty as the anointed Vicar of tho Divine Founder of Christianity. In him wo find faithfully portrayed the characteristic virtues of the Good Shepherd—'forgetfulness of self and unwearied love and care for the sheep and lambs of his flock.

May Christ, our Lord, preserve Pius XI. to ho our Pontiff and Father “ ad multos aim os.”