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Show A MINISTER SEES THE POPE. A Lutheran Clergyman Gives Impressions Im-pressions of the Pontiff. Writing from Rome to the Daily Picayune of New Orleans Dr. II. Liesal, a Lutheran, gives his impression of the Holy Father on the occasion of one of his recent public appearances at St. Peter's: The chief of three hundred millions of Christians at last I was allowed to gaze upon the venerable prince, writes Dr. Liesal. I raw a small, white, but strong face, restless, piercing, yet mild eyes, a figure bending under the weight of gold and efimson robes. Jhe procession moved slowly and Leo remained before my physical eye for a full minute or more he will be in mv mental eye as long as I have breath in me. All around people were clapping their hand-, waving hats, fans, shawls 'and handkerchiefs, while the thousands In and out of the cathedral cathe-dral shouted: "Evviva il Papa." And under the great cupola the silver sil-ver trumpets called to prayer, women broke into tears and swooned, men gesticulated and held their handkerchiefs handker-chiefs to their eyes, numerous young priests, unmindful of the Italian soldiery, sol-diery, cried "Ewiva il Re, Evviva il Papa-Re." (Long live the king, live the pope king.) As he passed by the pope blessed Catholic, Protestant -and - Jew. His broad love for the human race, knows no distinction. His small hand, gloved in red, was making the sign of the cross continuously. I was singularly impressed by the spirituality of his appearance as I watched, the venerable man. Leo XIII seemed to be all spirit, his. insignificant insignifi-cant body wholly disappeared in the enormous, gorgeous robes of office he wears, only his eyes and the blessing spending hand seemed to live, the great soul alone seemed to be with ; us. r When the papal procession, reached the altar the excited crowds remembered remem-bered where we wore and Catholics and others alike followed -the holy service ser-vice with due respect and devotion. Th? music was sublime; there is nothing noth-ing like it in all the world: -the re cannot can-not be, for the vatican is in sole possession pos-session of certain grand compositions that are performed in St. Peter's and never out of it. Renewed bugal calls. rJ'4ie Swiss strike the marble floor with their-halberds, the noble guards lower their swords, the grated organ plays. the. prelude to the "To Deum," and those countless thousands in and about this wonderful temple jain in the-song, of . praise it sounds like a cry of triumph uttered by throats of steel. Before leaving the altar the pope ! blessed all present, stretching- forth both hands from the throne as if to embrace the multitude present nay, all humanity! And the crowd applauded applaud-ed and .shouts itself horse: "Long life to the pope," "Long life to the king of Rome:" Yes, "Re di Roma." As the procession prepares to leave the "sedU tious" cry is heard on all sides, "King of Rome," the "usurper": in the Quir-inal Quir-inal notwithstanding. : The venerable pontiff was Visibly' -a f-v' fected by so much love and devotion. His . face was. wreathed in smiles and s . his eyes sought out the enthusiasts among the crowd. He seemed to be dotermhi3d to see all. to greet all. to bless all. to give-everybody a kindly look and in order to do so, rose several times in his chair. Ah. "the little old man" (the term by which Leo refers to himself) has. yet some life in himT Life a father enjoying hia children's devotion, so the father of the Catholic church seemed to rejoice in the spon-. taneous ovation offered him. His whole aspect hreathed love for his people , and gratitude to God. It was most inspiring.. in-spiring.. I will never forget it. |
