INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE POPE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 175, 4 August 1876, Page 8

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE POPE.

On Saturday, May 13, His Holiness Pope Pius IX. completed his 84th year. The Catholic journals of Rome contained Addresses to the Holy Father enclosed in pretty borders. Even the 'Unita Cattolica* appeared in gala style without the mourning border that encloses its first page since the Italians crossed the Pontifical frontier on the 14th of September, 1870. The editor then assured his readers that this mourning should continue until the Holy Father was reinstated in his rights. The ' Unita ' gives a series of dates valuable as a record of the Holy Father's life. Born on the 13th of May, 1792, at Sinigaglia, he was baptised onthe same day by Canon Mastai. He was confirmed on the 9th of June, 1799, and in the same year prayed for the imprisoned Pontiff, Pius VI. On the 2nd of October, 1803, he entered the College of Volterra, and was saved from a mortal illness in 1816. He was ordained subdeacon on the 18th of December, 1818, and priest on the 10th of April, 1819. His first Mass was 'said on Easter Sunday, 11th of April, 1819, and in that same year he was appointed chaplain in the Hospital of Tata Giovanni, at Rome. In 1823 (3rd July) he set out on a mission to Chili, and narrowly escaped shipwreck at Lima in 1824. In the following year he was appointed director of San Michele, and Archbishop of Spoleto on the 21st of ' May, 1827, where two years afterwards he did much by his f goodness to subdue a revolution. On the 17th of December, 1832, he was made Bishop of Imola j on the 23rd of December, 1839, he was created Cardinal in petto, and proclaimed on the 14th of December, 1840. It was in 1842 that he bestowed his silver spoons on a poor woman when he had no money to give, and four years afterwards a white dove alighted on his carriage as he was going to the Conclave — an omen of his approaching election to the Pontificate accepted by the Roman people. On the 14th of June, 1846, he entered the Conclave, and on the 16th was elected Pope.

The 'Voce della Verita* thus speaks of him: — "Seventeen lustres of years, and six of a Pontificate ! Most rare is the example of the first j there is no example of the second. And what is this man ? Is his head bowed, his eye uncertain, his mind diminished, with memory slow and untrustworthy, exhibiting decadence ? No ; it is but eight days ago since the large Ducal Hall resounded with his words, of which not one was lost to the thousand and a half of auditors. The thoughts were strong, the images elevated, the phrases ready and secure. And no day passes in the other great Consistorial Hall, filled with long files of visitors from the most diverse and distant countries, that he is not seen to pass from the one to the other, finding for all happy and varied words, which they preserve throughout their whole lives." After speaking of the trials to which he is subjected, the ' Voce' proceeds : "But will he conquer ? He has already conquered, we reply. His triumphs are named the Syllabus, the Council, the protests, and the five years of imprisonment which seal them. The Syllabus wounded social errors to the heart ; the Council killed Begalism and Gallicanisin ; the protests and the firm refusals, save the Ark of Justice, which, when this flood of revolt and crime will have passed away, will rest and originate a new world."

On May 13, the members of the Sacred College, the prelates, and a number of Roman gentlemen filled the ante-chambers of the Vatican. Although it was not an official feast, they presented themselves there to testify, by their presence and their words, the sentiments of veneration, affection, and gratitude which they cherish towards the Holy Father. His Holiness accepted and returned their congratulations. A number of foreign and Roman families were also present on that day. Amongst the former were Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson and their son, John Mary Pius, dressed, as before, in the costume of the Swiss Guard, and with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. The Pope stopped at sight of the little fellow and said to him, " Where did you get these beautiful flowers, my child ? " The little fellow presented his bouquet to the Holy Father, and, after a second or two, he paid his compliment to the Pope by using the words addressed to a bishop at consecration, " Ad multoa annoe."

The Pope smiled, and, turning to those present, delivered a short discourse, taking the boy's words as the subject. The French pilgrims have been received in groups during the ■week, after their great audience. A German pilgrimage will be received soon. They will present their congratulations to the Holy Father on his entrance into his 85th year. On the 29th of May, an Italian pilgrimage composed of persons from all the provinces of Italy, will be received in solemn audience by his Holiness. That day is the anniversary of the glorious victory of Legnano.