THE MAIL FOR THE VATICAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 52, 27 December 1900, Page 6

THE MAIL FOR THE VATICAN.

As I was leaving the Vatican the other day, writes the Rome correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph, I met a postman at the bronze doors, who groaned as he walked, while the perspiration rolled from his| face. To my sympathetic inquiries he growled oat that he wished the Vatican had to carry their own letters. In fact, about 20,000 newspapers and letters arrive there daily, all of which have to be sorted, opened and classified, and for this purpose a special staff is kept at the apostolic palace. The Pontiff is supposed to open and read all communications addressed 'Sanctitati Suae Leoni Papae XIII., feliciter regnanti '; but a 8 that would be impossible, even to a strong- man, Cardinal Rampolla, Secretary of State, has it done under his direction, submitting to the Pope the most important and pressing communications. However, there are some documents the opening of which by any other than the Pontiff is punit-hed by excommunication. These are addressed 'To His Holiness the Pope, Prefect of the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition.' Of newspapers Leo XIII. each day glances through about seven or eight. Italian and French, also many translated extracts from English, German, and «yen Russian ones, which have been specially prepared for him. It has caused surprise in many quarters that Leo XIII. is so well informed about outside matters as he is, aB of course it would be supposed that when extracts are made from papers only what the reader desires comes before him. But the Pontiff is very shrewd, and reads French and Italian journals so thoroughly that he has a very good idea whenever anything is being kept from him and insists — and has his way — on having fall reports.