POPE’S PRIVATE LIFE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4470, 22 September 1922, Page 4

POPE’S PRIVATE LIFE.

AUSTERE SIMPLICITY. NO CARPETS OR CURTAINS, i Some interesting particulars of .the private life of Pope Pius XI. in the Vatican have been given by the Milan 1 correspondent of The Times. Whenever a new Pope is made, there is always a. curiosity to knpw how he is I adapting himself to his voluntary seclusion, and what habits he preserves of his previous life. Of the present Pope one can say that he confirms the opinion held by all those who knew him well and used to admire his austerity and simplicity. i His Holiness has chosen for his private apartments seven rooms on the third floor, overlooking the Piazza San Pietro. These are furnished with the greatest simplicity, there being no carpets, no curtains, and no sign of luxury. In the bedroom there is a . brass bedstead, above which hangs a picture of The Madonna of the Goo.l ; Counsel, to whom Pius XI is particularly devout; a mahogany chest of ' draws, a small writing desk, and a ' cabinet in which His Holiness keeps j his private papers.

In his study there is a large writing table, with a crucifix standing upon it. No books on reviews are to be seen. Generally, His Holiness does his writing in the great library on the second floor, and, when lie takes reviews or books from here himself into a private apartment, after he has finished with them he brings them back himself to their places with the methodical care of the old librarian. He does not like to see anything on his writing table, and on every hand there is evidence of his love for tidiness and order. The Pope lives entirely isolated in his private apartments, where no guard is on duty either during the day or at nigiht.. Nobody sleeps near him. He has three servants, who take turn daily in waiting on him. But he is particularly looked after by an old woman, whose introduction into the Vatican broke a long tradition, and caused no little criticism among the Pope’s entourage. This woman, commonly called La Signora Linda, who is over sixty years of age, had been, for forty years the faithful maid and companion of the mother of the Pope. She was an orphan, and Signora Ratti took her out Of a convent when still a girl. When Signora Ratti died Linda, being alone, reentered a convent; but when Cardinal Ratti came to Milan as Archbishop of the diocese lie recalled her and made her his housekeeper. A few months later the Archbishop was elected Pope, and Linda was on the point Of returning to the convent when a telegram arrived from Rome ordering rier to go and live at the Vatican. The decision of Pius XL met with the respectful resistance of the cai'dinals, and, it is rumoured, Oven of the Secretary of State. “A woman in the Vatican, Your Holiness!’’ (it was remarked to him). “None of your predecessors has ever done such." a thing.’’ “Well,” was the leply, *'we will set a precedent for our successors.’’ Those who know the affectionate attachment of Pius XL to his family, and particularly the great devotion he always showed to Ihis mother, were not surprised to hear that, in spite of tradition and opposition, he made good his will. The result is that Signora Linda lives now in the Vatican on tlhe thiiu floor of the wing looking towards Montemario. Her official title is Mistress of the Wardrobe, and every day she orders the Pope’s extremely frugal meals.