PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 170, 21 July 1903, Page 2

PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS.

The impressions of a visitor to the Vatican daring the Papal Jubilee are given as follows:—

When brought face to face with his Holiness one cannot but be struck with the energy and animation he displays. His eye 3 are so bright, and his entire attitude so keenly alert, and when he speaks his voice is so clear and ringing, that at such a moment his extreme age will appear most incredible. It is only when he is not engaged in conversation and his features are in repose that his almost ethereal look becomes apparent, and the effect of so many years arduous work is plainly manifest. But Leo X[IL, two hundred and fifty-seventh Pope of Rome, has done more tnan fifty years of responsible Church work, and is now at ninety two years of age one of the most wonderful men of the age. A SIMPLE LIFE. Personally, the Pope leads the simplest of lives ; he is an early riser, often at work before others are out of bed. He sleeps in a very plain apartment, a long and narrow room divided by a curtain, on the one side of which is nothing but a bed and a prayingdesk, anu on the other a very ordinary suite of furniture, with the desk at which his Holiness writes. Communicating with the bedroom is a small oratory in which Leo XIII. says mass in the presence of a tew attendants each morning, except upon Sundays and feast days; then a private chapel which adjoins the throne room is used. To be present at the Mass in the private chapel is a favor much sought after, more especially as the Pope often him-elf administers the commnnion. Until this service is over Leo XIII. does not break his fast, and then his breakfast consists of coffee and bread and butter only. Immediately after, the secretaries with their budgets of letters wait upon the Pope for instructions; then a little light refreshment is taken, generally in the form of soup, and audiences are given to prelates of the Church, and distinguished personages of foreign and the home country who may be in Borne.

The place of the audience depends upon the rank of the person or persons to be received; if of princely or exalted dignity tha throne-room is used, which room contains a throne much resembling that of a temporal manarch, with its canopy emblazoned with the Papal arms. All other personages are receivi d in a small, plain room hung in red damask, and very sparsely furnished.

THE PAPAL BLESSING. Of necessity the presentations are somewhat formal, and it is extremely interesting to watch the various attitudes assumed by those who are presented. Some almost prostrate themselves at the feet of the Pope ; others kneel on one knee and kiss the extended hand before it is held over their head in blessing, while Royal visitors bend low and then salute the Papal hand. Notable exceptions to this rule have been the German Emperor and King Oscar of Sweden and Norway, the latter being the first to greet the Pope with a hearty shako of tho hand and a sounding salute on his clieek, to the groat horror and consternation of the Papal Court, but to the amusement of the Pope himself. At a time when a considerable number of people are admitted to tho Vatican for tho Pope's blessing, they all kneel while his Holiness walks round with uplifted hand, no separate presentation being made.

AN OMNIVOBOUS READER. The Pope has a villa in the Vatican grounds, which is somewhat cooler than the palace; and he removes thither for the hottest weather, when he receives all his visitors in a large adjoining pavilion. His Holiness is an omnivorous reader, and takes the most absorbing interest ia all questions of the day, more especially, of course, in those which are political, or relate to the extension of his Church. England has a large share in his thoughts, and apart from religious controversy he is really and truly fond of this country, and has the liveliest and kindliest reminiscences of the time when he was visiting here so many years ago; a time when his occupation of the Papal throne was a very remote contingency. Leo XIII. is a man who has made his influence felt throughout Europe, winning for himself the respect of all the great Powers. The effect of his wise diplomacy with regard to Germany and German Catholicrwill be remembered, and he ia one of the few men who entered the lists with Bismarck and camo off victorious. This conntry, too, may remember, with gratitude, his condemnation of the plan of campaign and boycotting. He advocates peace rather than strife, and others than Catholics may well wish for added years to his life.