But at the same moment the pecuniary side of the question had risen before him and spoilt his joy.

If the enforced relinquishment of the temporal power had exalted the Pope by freeing him from the worries of a petty sovereignty which was ever threatened, the need of money still remained like a chain about his feet tying him to earth.

As he could not accept the proffered subvention of the Italian Government,* there was certainly in the Peter's Pence a means of placing the Holy See above all material cares, provided, however, that this Peter's Pence were really the Catholic _sou_, the mite of each believer, levied on his daily income and sent direct to Rome.

Such a voluntary tribute paid by the flock to its pastor would, moreover, suffice for the wants of the Church if each of the 250,000,000 of Catholics gave his or her _sou_ every week.

In this wise the Pope, indebted to each and all of his children, would be indebted to none in particular.