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The Pope said something in Italian to Mr Collopy and Monsignor Cahill instantly translated, also rapidly translating his reply back into Italian.

THE POPE—How do things fare in your country, beloved Ireland?

COLLOPY—Only middling, Your Holiness. The British are still there.

THE POPE—And is the country not prosperous?

COLLOPY—I do not think so, Your Holiness, for there is much unemployment in Dublin.

THE POPE—Ah, that grieves our heart.

FATHER FAHRT (in Italian)—Some of the Irish tend to be a bit indolent, Sanctissime Pater, but their faith is perhaps the strongest in Christendom. I am a German and have seen nothing like it in Germany. It is inspiring.

THE POPE—Ireland was ever dear to our heart. She is a blessed country. Her missionaries are everywhere.

(After a little more desultory conversation Mr Collopy said something in a low voice which I did not catch. Monsignor Cahill instantly translated. The Pope seemed startled. Mr Collopy then made a much longer mumbled speech which was also quickly translated. I am indebted to Monsignor Cahill for a transcription of the Pope’s remarks, which were in Latin and Italian, and the translation is also largely his.)

COLLOPY spoke

THE POPE

Che cosa sta dicendo questo poveretto?

What is this poor child trying to say?

MONSIGNOR CAHILL Spoke.

THE POPE

E tocco? Nonnunquam urbis nostrae visitentium capitibus affert vaporem. Dei praesidium hujus infantis amantissimi invocare velimus.

Is this child in his senses? Sometimes the heat of our city brings a vapour into the heads. We invoke God’s protection for a beloved child.

COLLOPY spoke again.

MONSIGNOR CAHILL Spoke.

THE POPE

Ho paura che abbiate fatto un errore, Eminenza, nel potar qui questo pio uomo. Mi sembra che sia un po’ tocco. Forse gli manca una rotella. Ha sbagliato indirizzo? Non siamo medici che curano il corpo.

Dear Cardinal, I fear you have made a mistake in bringing this pious man to see us. I fear the Lord has lead a finger on him. We would not say that his head is working properly. Can it be that he is the wrong place? We are not a doctor for the body.

FATHER FAHRT Spoke.

THE POPE

Ma questo è semplicemente mostruoso. Neque hoc nostrum officium cum concilii urbani officio est con-fundendum.

But this is monstrous. Nor should our office be confused with that of a city council.

CARDINAL BALDINI Spoke.

THE POPE

Nobis presentibus istud dici indignum est. Num consilium istud inusitatum rationis legibus continetur? Nunquam nos ejusmodi quicquam audivimus.

It is a derogation of our presence. Does such an unheard-of suggestion lie within reason? We have never heard of such a thing before.

COLLOPY mumbled something.

MONSIGNOR CAHILL Spoke.

THE POPE

Graviter commovemur ista tam mira observatione ut de tanta re sententiam dicamus. Intra hos parietes dici dedecet. Hic enim est locus sacer.

We are deeply troubled by such a strange supplication for our intervention on such a question. It is improper that such a matter should be mentioned within these walls. This is a sacred place.

CARDINAL BALDINI spoke in Italian.

THE POPE

Non possiamo accettare scuse e pretesti. II Reverendo Fahrt ha sbagliato. Ci da grande dolore.

We cannot accept pretexts and excuses. Father Fahrt has lapsed. He Jills us with sorrow.

FATHER FAHRT spoke in Italian.

THE POPE

Non possiamo accettare ciò. Sembra ci siaunrilassamento nella disciplina nella Società di Gestù in Irlanda. Seil Padre Provinciale non agisce, dovremo noi stessi far tacere il Reverendo Fahrt.

We do not accept that at all. There seems to be a weakness of discipline in the Society of Jesus in Ireland. If Father Provincial in Ireland does not move, we will silence Father Fahrt ourselves.

COLLOPY mumbled something.

MONSIGNOR CAHILL spoke.

CARDINAL BALDINI spoke in Italian.

THE POPE

È inutile parlarne. Quest’ uomo soffre di allucinazionie di ossessioni, e è stato condotto su questa via del Reverendo Fahrt. Come abbiamo già detto, tutto questo ci rattrista profondamente, Cardinale.

It is no good. This man is suffering from serious delusions and obsessions and