DAILY LIFE OF THE POPE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume v, Issue 232, 12 October 1877, Page 9

DAILY LIFE OF THE POPE

The correspondent of a Continental contemporary, at Rome, has instituted aperies of inquiries into the private life of 'the Sovereign Pontiff, knowing very well with a public career so grand, the Holy* Father must be an exemplar to all his children in the piety, simplicity, and regularity of what may be called his domestic excellence. Much surprise mast have been felt throughout the world that a man who has lived several years beyond four score, should have been physically strong enough to undertake and cany through the trying labours of the jubilee celebrations, before which many healthy persons of middle age would have broken down. The pontificate of Pius has not been so calm and free from care as to permit life to flow on smoothly. On the contrary it has been a season of perpetual anxiety, varied only by insult and outrage, and always very trying to him whom the voice of the Church had called to the vast responsibility of the highest office on earth. During all the winter, regardless of weather, the Holy Father rises at .six precisely. For some months past, owing to a rheumatic affection, his chamberlain has assisted him to dress ; previously he dispensed with all aid of this kind. When his toilet is completed, he makes preparations for Mass, which he celebrates every morning at eight o'clock, in a little special chapel situated on the same floor with his sleeping chamber. At all times he goes through the solemn Sacrifice with soul wrapped up, and, on the days consecrated to the Blessed \ lrgm, Ins emotions throughout the celebration are so profound as to force him to tears. Later on he assists at a 3lass said by one of his

chaplains, which is attended by his household. Then he retires for breakfast. A domestic carries in his modest repast, which usually consists of some bread, a cup of black coffee, and a small glass of wine of Bordeaux. After breakfast he is visited, except on Tuesday and tnday, by his Eminence the Cardinal Secretary of State, and a conference takes place on whatever matters require immediate attention. On the excepted days there arc conferences also, but the Cardinal Secretary sends a substitute. Following this audience, the Holy Father examines his letters, which, it may be remarked, are invariably a considerable bundle, and then is prepared to receive special visitors, to which reception these latter are expected to come in full dress without gloves, Members of royal families arc ushered into his private library, but others are shown to his sitting-room since the change m 1870. The visitors stand before the Pope, or kneel, but cardinals and princes have the right to use a stool, according to the etiquette of the palace. Ihc correspondent remarks that this is one of the most laborious and fatiguing duties the Pontiff has to undergo, for the hundreds who see him agitate him with questions of every possible * •i !t Cardmals > bishop.?, ambassadors, missionaries, priests, and the faithful generally, come from all points, and carry to the feet of the Chief of the Church their requests, their homage and their cares.' The kissing of the toe has fallen almost into disuse, on account of growing age and infirmity, and all are now offered the hand for the salute. It is ordinarily about midday that his Holiness leaves his chamber and grants semi-public audiences. The general custom, then, is to read an address, and all the world has had an opportunity of knowing how patient is the Pope as a listener, and how happy are his replies. A stroll in the garden succeeds the receptions, aud the cardinals, prelates, and persons of distinction have permission to bear the Pontiff company for the short time he remains out of doors. When the weather is unfavorable, there is ;a promenade of some of the galleries instead. By one o'clock he dismisses his entourage, and the hour before dinner is passed in religious exercises, in which Mgr. Ricci generally assists. His dinner is as characteristic as his breakfast. It consists of soup, boiled meat, and vegetables, sometimes a fry or a cutlet, and always some fruit for dessert. For five years past, obedient to the orders of his physician, he drinks at dinner a small quantity of Bordeaux wine. The private secretary and train-bearer assist at this repast. When the cloth is drawn, the Pope is left alone, and he rests— slumbering as a rule for half an hour. For a couple of hours subsequently he is occupied with his Breviary. At half-past four he visits the Blessed Sacrament in. tos chapel, and then walks out again with two of his chamberlains. 1 assmg before the Madonna of Lourdes, he recites an Ace Maria. (to which his attendants respond) and some orisons in Latin. At the fountain of Zitella he stops, uuder a weeping willow, and near to his dove-cot. The birds come out to meet him, and are fed with bread by one of the chamberlains. On returning to his chamber, he goes through, the afternoon post-bag, and is ready at six o'clock to recommence the particular audiences, and keep them up till nine, should they require so much time. From that moment the palace ceases communication, with tlie outside world. The Pontiff surrounds himself with his domestic circle, and passes a quarter of an hour in their midst, imparting the charm of his presence, which never loses its force, how often soever it may be felt. His frugal supper winds up the day. It would be meagre for the strictest anchorite, consisting usually of a couple of boiled or roasted apples, with perhaps a little bread. No wine at this meal, if meal it can be called. He retires about ten to his bed, which is one of the simplest and lea^t luxurious in Rome, bein^ a common iron frame without curtains. The only carpet he uses here is a piece at the bed-side, and no fire is ever lighted within the room. It is an apartment as modestly provided as that of the poor workman in which the grand Pontiff, spiritual father of two hundred millions of children, seeks the repo.se he so industriously earns ; and the absence of all lnxury here is simply in keeping with the whole tenor of his everyday life.