AN ENGLISH GIRL’S VISIT TO THE POPE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2122, 22 February 1908, Page 4 (Supplement)

AN ENGLISH GIRL’S VISIT TO THE POPE.

. There were six of us at the Italian pension in the Via del Tritone, all girls, some of certain, others uncertain age, who were anxious to have an interview with the most celebrated bachelor in the world the Pope. It was such a long process to get one through tho ordinary medium, tho Consul, that we were delighted when a good Father, who often called at our pension to practise his English, offered to get us invitations. Ono Sunday morning he came with the cards, which had, specific instructions how to dress for the occasion; each one must fvear black, no jewels, and a lace mantilla on the head. There was an Italian gentleman who. had been waiting three weeks for bis invitation who was to accompany us. Men must appear in evening dress at -the Pope’s receptions; he had borrowed a dress-coat,’ but, the other necessary garment being a misfit, bo wore, bis ordinary trousers of striped black and white. Tho effect Was so startling that one lady mildly hinted that it was scarcely the regulation thing; ho said it couldn’t bo helped, so we were obliged to lot him go. Then came the usual battle with tho cabman, but, as we were quite experienced by this time in that line, after a heated argument he agreed to take us and bring us back for three lire. IVe walked past the Swiss Guards at the entrance to the Vatican, and were told to take a certain turning to tile right, where we encountered f lie first official, who looked at our card suspiciously, then waved us to another entrance, where wo again produced our card and were admitted Into a large room, where a fine-look-ing man, in the most gorgeous livery -if red velvet and gold lace, ushered us into the throne room, which we have since been told was quite an honor. It was very large, with magnificent. pictures and draperies, and > red and gold chair on a raised platform surrounded by a canopy and a row of chairs on three- sides which would accommodate at least a bundled people. We found seats and looked around us. AVo had each provided ourselves with a rosary to be blessed and to keep as a souvenir of the day, and .vc found that everyone was carrying loiuotliing—a good many, boxes; quo woman had her arms covered with rosaries, probably to sell: each packigo must have its contents exposed, is nothing was allowed in the room covered.

After waiting an hour the same man came in and knelt; immediately everyone in the room did the same. A gentleman who sat near us, when told,.he-*w.ould he. .obliged, to

1 til cross hanging in front; lie looked different from any of the pictures I have f.or-'n of him—stouter, with a very florid ■counpU’xion—but you lelt instinctively that he was a good mail. He slowly passed by, holding out his hand with tho famous ring, which wo all devoutly kissed. Oeerisioiinlly someone who knew Italian won 1(1 speak, and the Pope would place Ins hand on tho object, whatever it was. A woman sat opposite to us with a baby which had been fretting up till now, but when tho Popo camo m it stopped, iukl nv» lie drew near and put his hand on its head, looked up into his lace. After making the rounds, the 1 opo turned and said in Italian, “1 bless you, all you wear, your friends and your business”— and it was over. 11l passing out wo noticed there ueio two other rooms also_filled with people Sunday afternoon is the time when tho Pope gives moot qi his public receptions—the whole time ho ws in our room did not exceed ten minutes. Some people pay Irom 5s to a sovereign lor an invitation ; a little money, wo found, did woiulors in Italy in opening doors which were supposed to bo kept closed. Tho Popo only speaks his native tongue, Italian', fluently, French a little, blit never if lie can -avoid it. The Vatican contains 1,000 rooms and covers thirteen acres of ground. Tho Pope’s apartments are on tho third floor; nono but friends or peoplo on special business are admitted. The oilico is anything but a sinecure, lie commences work 'with his secretary at nine in tho morning, and it lasts until six in the evening; the rest of the day lie calls his own. He receives on an average 1,000 letters a day. His two sisters moved from Venice, their old home, and have apartments overlooking the Vatican, wliei’o they can see their brother ns he walks in tho garden. '