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He Honored Americans

He Honored Americans image
Parent Issue
Day
7
Month
August
Year
1903
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

POPE PIUS X. RECEIVED A BAND OF PILGRIMS.

FIRST TO CONVEY TO HIM HOMAGE OF NATIONS.

MANY MOVED TO TEARS AS HE BLESSED THEM.

Rome, Aug. 6. - The spirit of "The king is dead, long live the king," which has been repeated through all the long ages upon a change of sovereigns, was the dominant note Wednesday at the Vatican among those gathered there not to acknowledge an earthly sovereign, but to accept without reserve Pope Pius X as their spiritual king.

Not only had America enjoyed the honor of first announcing, through the Associated Press, the accession of the present pontiff to the chair of St. Peter, but Americans enjoyed the far greater privilege and honor of being the first of those among many other countries were to follow to convey to his holiness the homage of the nations. The American pilgrimage conducted by John J. McGrane of New York and Father Lynch of Niagara university, of Buffalo, N. Y., which left the United States for its pious journey to Rome to receive the blessing of Leo XIII., arrived while the conclave was sitting. Its members lingered until the never forgotten moment Tuesday, when the election of the new pope was announced, and then decided reluctantly to leave Wednesday. But with tears of disappointment at not having been able to see the holy father the pilgrims strapped their luggage and sent it to the station. While the desolate band were eating a hurried luncheon preparatory to leaving, Mr. McGrane, with radiant face, burst in waving a paper and almost dancing in his excitement.

"You shall see him, you shall see him," he cried. "Our cardinal has arranged it."

Secured Pope's Consent.

Cardinal Gibbons had been asked to try to arrange for the reception of the Americans. He used his influence with the happiest result, securing the content of the pope to receive his fellow countrymen.

Their luggage was hastily brought back from the station in order that they might appear in proper apparel and at 5:45 in the afternoon all were at the bronze doors of the Vatican. They were met by Monsignor Kennedy, rector of the American college. They trooped up the high stairway and on through the corridors to the unique hall of inscription, where a halt was called. Before the pilgrims could quite realize it the pope stood among them.

Pius X is a little taller than Cardinal Gibbons, giving, however, the impression of being a much larger man as he is inclined to stoutness. He has abundant gray hair, with no sign of baldness, dark clear eyes, handsome features, and a magnificent voice, low in tone, to which is added a peculiar grace due to his musical Venetian accent. His whole person emanated great benignity and cordiality.

Kissed His Hand.

He walked slowly but with the firmness of quite a young man down the long kneeling line, accompanied by Cardinal Gibbons and Mgr. Kennedy, and gave to each of the pilgrims as he passed his hand to be kissed. He spoke a few words to almost every one. Pius X was arrayed completely in white.

The pope appeared to be very much interested when Father Lynch presented to him a box containing a white zucchetto, saying that "we will be extremely gratified if your holiness would accept this gift in exchange for the one you wear."

"I will cheerfully do so," the pope replied.

Thereupon Mgr. Bisleti lifted the zucchetto which the pope wore from his head and replaced it with the one which had been presented by Father Lynch. Mr. McGrane handed Pius the offerings which the pilgrims had  hastily put together after lunch. When Pius reached the persons who waved two American flags the day before at St. Peter's, who were carrying them, he exclaimed:

"Cara, cara, America, dear America--forty-four stars, eh."

When he reached the last person in the line he turned and, while all the pilgrims knelt, he gave the apostolic blessing, ending with the words: "I recommend myself to your pious prayers."

It was a moment of most intent emotion and scarcely an eye was dry.

Cardinal Gibbons, upon leaving the Vatican, said that he had been delighted to present the American pilgrimage to the new pope under such happy circumstances.