Another Appreciation

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 43, 22 October 1903, Page 2

Another Appreciation

'We have not only a new Pope,' says Dr Barry, 1 but a saint once more seated in Cathedra Unitatis (in the Chair of Unity) God be with him as he enters fit Peter's prison ' ' The same distinguished writer says of tho new Pontiff — 1 He is said to be as cheerfuj as he is kind ; with a great sense of affairs ; desirous to lift somewhat higher the studies of the Italian clergy ; and if he writes as he preaches, I believe, that his State papers will be marked with a directness a!nd moderation which in them-

selves are sources of strength. The North Italian Popes have nearly always exhibited a serious and" a freedom from pretence or exaggeration ; their type is the excellent and judicious Benedict XIV. We may feel sure that Pius X. is not likely to embitter any quarrel, much less provoke one. Rumor declares that he chose this title in memory of Pius VII., who was elected in 1800 at Venice, in the island-church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Now, it was Pius VII. who crowned Napoleon, remodelled the French hierarchy, and accepted the Concordat. He was the Pope of conciliation, yet became a martyr when unchristian compromise was demanded of him. Our history is great in these examples. But that which kindles imagination, brightens our eyes, and fills our hearts with unwonted joy, is the sight of a peasant, a saint, a man detached from honors, and a lover of the poor, raised to what Disraeli termed " that immemorial and supernatural throne of St. Peter, which has round about it the prison-walls of a great principle and inscribed above it the everlasting truth : Qui se humiliaVerit exaltabitur," ' (he that humbleth hjimself shall be exalted).