The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

FIRST REFORM MEASURES. 7
of taking possession of the Lateran, whicli took place on
January 27th, 1566, " perseveres in his holy life, and shows
himself a true Vicar of Christ. The Romans love him as a
father. On his way to the Lateran they hailed him with
such manifestations of joy as have not been seen for ten
pontificates." The news went round that as he was leaving
his apartments he had patiently stopped to listen to a man
who was seeking justice, saying that such simplicity delighted
him. When, during the procession, he caught sight of his
old school-fellow, Francesco Bastone, who had come from
Alessandria, Pius V. called him to his side, and in grateful
memory of the help which his father had once given him,
appointed him Keeper of the Castle of St. Angelo. This][act
showed all Rome from what a lowly family the Pope
had come. It is a wonderful thing, wrote a diplomatic
agent of the Emperor, that this man, who once tended the
flocks, should now have become the chief shepherd of
Christendom."*
Four days before the taking possession of the Lateran, a
consistory had been held, at which the Pope announced certain
reforms for the clergy and people of Rome. A special com-
mission of Cardinals was appointed for the reform of the
secular clergy ; this was composed of Borromeo, Savelli,
Alciati and Sirleto, and they were to inquire into the learning,
life and morals of all priests. On this occasion the Pope
exhorted the Cardinals to watch carefully over their households,
and told them that he had abohshed the right of sanctuary,
since justice must be able to lay its handj.upon the guilty
everywhere, even in the Apostolic Palace. The bishops were
reminded of the duty of residence, from which only those
were to be exempt who, like the Datary, were directly employed
^ See in App. n. 5 the *letter of Cusano of February 2, 1566,
State Archives, Vienna. Cf. the *Avviso di Roma of Februr.ry 2,
1566, Urb. 1040, p. 172, Vatican Library; Firmanus in Can-
CELLiERi, III, seq. ; Rodocanchi, St. Angc, 170, and Capitole,
113 ; Bruzzone in Riv. di Alessandria, XIV. (1905), 378 seq.,
where there are other instances of favours conferred by Pius V.
on his compatriots.