ROME

New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1913, Page 55

ROME

THE POPE'S BIRTHDAY. • The Holy Father on Monday, June 2, celebrated his seventy-eighth birthday, and the event, coming so soon after his recovery from a serious illness, called ' forth even greater manifestations of loyalty and devotion than usual. Telegrams and messages of felicitation arrived at the Vatican from all parts of the world. His Holiness rose early and celebrated Mass in his private chapel, in the presence of his two sisters, his niece and his private secretaries, from whom he received the first congratulations. Afterwards he was present at a Mass celebrated by Mgr. Bressan, and then retired to his private apartment, where he had breakfast with his relations. .... THE HOLY FATHER'S HEALTH. To-morrow (writes the Rome correspondent of the Universe under date June 1) the Holy Father begins the seventy-ninth year of his life. That the present good health to which Providence has restored him should continue for many years will ' surely be the prayer of thousands of Catholic hearts, who have followed with so much anxiety the Holy Father's recent illness. For now it may be said that the ordinary routine of his daily life has been resumed. He is able to say Mass regularly, to attend to important business; he takes his drive in the Vatican gardens, and grants audiences as before. After the two on Sunday, May 25, there were other audiences granted on the following Tuesday and Wednesday, and all who approached him agreed that, though somewhat thinner, the Pope is really better and stronger than before. But the biggest event of all took place on Thursday afternoon, when the cortile of San Damaso was filled with over 1300 from Tuscany, and about 1500 others, admitted by special ticket, all eagerly expecting with eyes upturned towards the loggia, whence Pius X. had promised to bless them. As the white figure of the aged Pontiff appeared, surrounded by prelates, chamberlains, and other officers of his court, an enthusiastic ringing cheer went up from the crowd, which only ended when the Pope himself called for silence. Then in a strong voice he pronounced the formula of the Apostolic Blessing to the kneeling crowd.