THE CHILDREN'S POPE

New Zealand Tablet, 13 February 1913, Page 61

THE CHILDREN'S POPE

The Westminster Cathedral Ckronitle relates a touching incident of the recent English pilgrimage to Rome. A child in north of England gave a letter to her parish priest, asking him to deliver it to the Pope. The priest, anxious to please the child, took the letter, but warned her that it was most unlikely that he would be able to present it to his Holiness. The Bishop of the diocese, however, knowing how dear to the heart of his Holiness are little children, presented the letter, which the Pope received with much pleasure, asking immediately to have it translated into Italian. The note was only a couple of lines, as follows: 'Dear Pope,—Will you have the goodness to say a prayer that my father may become a Catholic ? With love from mother, Eddy, Mary. ' Your loving child, < > The Pope requested the return of the letter, and, seating himself at his desk, wrote a few lines, which he gave to the Bishop to present to the child on his return. Such childlike trust surely will not go unrewarded, and the little one may rest assured that the prayers of the Holy Father will beseech God to grant her the great favor she asked for.