er forgot that he was the Bishop as well as the Sovereign of Rome. The
Romans, although inhabiting the Holy City, like all other people, stood in
need of the instructions and warnings of religion. The Pope was aware,
besides, that bad habits prevailed, such as profane swearing, luxurious
living, the neglect of parents in the training of their children. The
knowledge of such things grieved him exceedingly. He now resolved to have
recourse to a measure which was as striking as it was unexpected. In the
trying days of the Crusaders, and moved by their zeal for the safety of
Christendom, the Popes of an earlier time had addressed, as the ministers
of God, immense public assemblages. No Pope, however, had appeared in the
pulpit since Gregory VII. The Church of St. Andrew, where the eloquent
Father Ventura was accustomed to preach, was selected, but, lest there
should be too great a crowd, no notice of the Pope's intention was
published. At half-past three o'clock on a Sunday afternoon, just as the
congregation were expecting to see Abbate Ventura enter the church, the
Pope himself made his appearance. The sermon was not a long one; but it
was memorable, and to be long remembered. "In this city," said the Holy
Father, "which is the centre of Catholicity, there are men who insult the
holy name of God by profane and blasphemous language. On all those who now
hear me I lay this charge: publish everywhere that I have no hope for such
men. They cast in the face of Heaven the stone which will, one day, recoil
upon them and crush them. I would also most earnestly exhort you as
regards the duty of fasting. Many fathers and mothers come to me in order
to impart to me the sorrow which they experience in considering the
melancholy fact which cannot escape their observation, that the demon of
uncleanness exercises a destructive empire over the youth of Rome. Our
Lord Himself in the Holy Gospel assures us that, by no other means than
prayer and fasting, is it possible to overcome this demon who poisons the
sources of life and works the ruin of immortal souls." The sermon,
although comparatively short, spoke of the chief obligations of a
Christian life. It was delivered with great unction, and the Holy Father
concluded with a fervent prayer for Rome and the Roman State. "Look down
upon this vine, O Lord, which Thy right hand hath planted! Look upon it in
mercy, and remove from it the hand of iron which weighs so heavily upon
it. Pour into the