THE POPE'S HABITS OF LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2221, 2 October 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE POPE'S HABITS OF LIFE.

A Naples correspondent gives the following account of the daily life of the Pope : The Pope, now serenty-eight years of age, leads a very regular life, and is in a fair condition of health. At 6 a.m. he celebrates mass in his private chapel. At 7 he takes breakfast, consisting of chocolate and milk, with sometimes raw eggs beaten up. Immediately afterwards he receives the visits of his court, and Cardinal Jacobini reports what has occurred in the world, aud gives him an account of the letters received on Papal business. Besides tlieso official letters, others arrive in great numbers from all parts of the world, most of them being from priests, missionaries, monks and nuns, while others contain sums of money from penitents, and many are petitions for a blessing, pecuniary aid, or advice. After these letters, in all languages, have been translated, and their contents briefly reported to the Pope, they are placed in the Papal archives. Hundreds of telegrams also arrive each day, the greater part asking for the, benediction in articulo mortis, which naturally ofteii reaches its destination after the petitioner is already dead. For its telegraphic correspondence the Vatican makes use of a numeral cypher. The greater part of the morning is thus passed in busiuess. At? 1 o'clock the Pope dines, and afterwards retires to his private room until the heat of the day is past. At 6 p.m. he repairs to the Vatican garden, where his carriage awaits him. At the prettiest spot in this garden there has lately been erected an elegant kiosque in Eastern style, and there the Pope remains for some time, taking coffee and other refreshments, surrounded by his intimate friends. The conversation rims on the topics of the day, and on the articles concerning the Pope or Papal politics that appear in the Italian or foreign journals. Precisely at sunset the party breaks up, and the Pope retnrns to the palace, his physicians having advised him never to remain out of doors after sunset on account of the malaria which prevails in the valley telow Moute Mario. At about 9 o'clock, after praying on his knees for half an hour, his Holiness retires to bed.