RECEIVED BY THE POPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20222, 7 October 1927, Page 9

RECEIVED BY THE POPE

LORD MAYOR OF LONDON. APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION. (British Official Wireless.) (Presß Association —By Telegraph—Copyright ) RUGBY, October 5. Sir Rowland Blades, Lord Mayor of London, and Lady Blades, were to-day received by the Pope. They were escorted to the presence of his Holiness by Sir Od o Russell, British Minister at the Vatican. . , T , The Pope conversed with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress for a quarter of an hour, expressing his gratification at meeting the official head of the British metropolis, with whose affairs he showed intimate acquaintance. The Lord Mayor repiled that it was the wish of all English Catholics that he should call at the Vatican to pay hi? respects to the head ot the Catholic religion, and indeed he had received many telegrams to that effect. Other members of the Lord l Mayors party including his daughters and the sheriffs of London, with their wives, were then received by the Pope, who imparted to all his apostolic benediction. Afterwards the Lord Mayor s party visited Cardinal the Papal Secretary of State. FEW IDLE MOMENTS. A ROUND OF RECEPTIONS. LONDON, October 5. (Received Oct. 6, at 5.5 p.ra.) The Lord Mayor of London and the sheriffs accompanying him on his visit 15 Rome to-day visited the Senate and the Chamber, and were welcomed ]?y the respective speakers. For their official visit to the Pope they were wearing their civic Yesterday they visited the basilica of St Peter's’, were entertained at luncheon in’the Zoological Gardens, and at night attended a symphonic concert in their honour at the Augusteum Hall, which was decorated with British and Italian flags. They received a warm reception from the audience.