THE POPE'S LOGIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 190, 1 August 1908, Page 4

THE POPE'S LOGIC.

His Holiness the I'ope. who celebrated Ins seventy-third birthday lately, has quite won the Vatican round to his sidby this time, and although at lirst his democratic tastes and dislike of ceremonial met with a good deal of opposition, he has shown that he means to have his own way, in spite of ancient customs. Home time ago his .Holiness caused consternation bv insisting on dispensing with the I'apai Guards on even' possible occasion. When it was objected that some badly-disposed persons might gain access to him and receive the Apostolic blessing, his Holiness replied: "Ali the better, lor they are just the persons who are most in need of the Church and her blessing." Shortly after he had been elected Pope, Pius X. invited a number of priests to the Vatican. On entering the Audience Chamber, his Holiness was greatly vexed at finding them all on their knees'. "Dear sons," he said, "rise, rise at once and be seated, all of you!" The Papal Ainuter of Ceremonies, who was present at the interview, was so astounded at this that he hurried from the apartment; in dismay. After the audience the Secretary of State informed the Pope that when hi s Holiness asks a prelate to be seated, it signifies that the latter may expect to be made a Cardinal within a short time. " Dear me," exclaimed the Pope, "by being merely polite 1 came near burdening the Church with the salaries of nearly a hundred* new Princes!" Needless to say, he never asked another prelate to sit in his presence.

l'ius X. has u great dislike for line clothes, and some time ago he administered a cutting rebuke to a certain line dame whom he received at the Vatican. This lady brought with her au elegantly adorned silk cap, which she had made herself, and which she intended as a. present for tho Pope. Finding him so all'able and kind-hearted, she was emboldened to ask him to give her the cap he was then wearing in exchange for tho one she had brought. Taking off a very plain, ordinary-looking can from bis head his Holiness said: "When you bring me- one just like this, my daughter, we will make the exchange." For a lung time j.ast (lie Pontifical Army at Koine has been agitating for increased pay,' and also for a relaxation of the iron discipline exercised by (ho commander. Count IVcci, who was tins favourite nephew of Leo XIII. In private life the Count is voted one of the host of fellows; but he takes his duties as Commander of the Vatican Army too seriously, and exercises unnecessary severity." die aims to bring his army, which is of very modest dimensions, to a pitch of perfection such as' the soldiers of the world, even those belonging to the Vatican, can never hope to. attain. He is a typical figure of Ruiuau Society, flood-looking, rather short in stature, gay, and witty, he wends his way through life in as dignified a manner as his lack of this world's goods permits him to do.