King Edward and the Holy Father

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 May 1903, Page 6

King Edward and the Holy Father

A cable message under date Rome, April 30, states that responding to the Pope's wish, King Edward yesterday paid an informal private visit to the Vatican. He started from the British Embassy in a closed private carriage declining an escort of carabineers. A procession of Papal oflicers escorted King Edward to the Pope's apartments, where Pope Leo advanced, shook hands, and asked Ring Edward to enter his private cabinet. Sitting m armchairs, they conversed in French for half an hfm'k s'ignefZotogmp^' 8 "*»""*" the PP ° P6 Pr ° miSed *v A ! t ? r . th , e interview King Edward returned direct to the Quirmal The crowds in the streets acclaimed him. W umbers of Irish pilgrims visiting Rome cheered enthusittsticctHy, „- n T fte .X. X , in X wore a field-marshal's uniform and the Order of the Garter. The Pope wore a white cassock with a splendid diamond necklet and cross and a velvet mozzetta. The Pope referred to Queen Victoria receiving him in London in 1846. He alluded to the Duke of Norfolk's recent visit to Rome. „ V? 0 newspapers say King Edward was surprised at the 1 ope s clearness of mind and good health, and declared that he looked like a man of not more that 63 years of age.