PAPAL STATE: Elevators & Champagne

With Holy Year pilgrims packing the Papal State under a scorching sun, Catholics were relieved to hear last week that Pope Pius XI is taking special measures to conserve and spur his strength. "The Holy Father, in cases where an elevator is not available, now uses a sedan chair," said a high Vatican official last week. "During the hottest weather, after receiving enormous numbers of pilgrims, he sometimes varies his abstemious diet, partaking of a little iced champagne."

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