Octavia's Trip to Italy, Meeting Pope, Brownings -- by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida

Octavia’s Trip To Italy, Met the Pope and Brownings – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Presidents of the United States aren't the only ones afforded private audiences with the Pope in Italy. Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert met Pope Pius IX in 1855 during her second European tour. Octavia is the daughter of George Walton, Jr., namesake of Walton County, Florida.

Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert met the Pope during her 1855 European tour. While in Italy, she also met the Brownings. She wrote about these extraordinary audiences in her “Souvenirs of Travel” published in 1857. (c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved Pictures by Brenda Rees


My personal copy of Octavia's 1857 book "Souvenirs of Travel" which is published in two volumes.


Octavia wrote about her visit with Pope Pius IX (May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878) in a letter to her mother and published in her "Souvenirs of Travel" book. Some of her remarks follow.

“Rome, Italy, April 19th, 1855
I cannot sleep tonight, precious Mamma, until I have written, and told you of the delight we experienced in being presented to the Pope of Rome, and of the affectionate and captivating kindness with which he received us. A cordial letter from our excellent Bishop Porter introduced us to Monsignore Barnabo, to whom we were indebted for the favor of this private audience.

Yesterday morning a charming note came from Count Vorromeo, informing me that his Holiness would gladly receive a visit from us at four o’clock this afternoon. Hence at that hour we drove to the Vatican (the winter residence of the Pope), attired, according to the etiquette of the court, in deep black, with long black veils thrown over our heads. Passing a group of Swiss Guards at the foot of the marble stairway, we were conducted by an officer along corridors, and through great apartments, to the ante-chamber. The walls of this room were glowing with the radiant pictures of Raphael, of Murillo, Titian, and Guido. As we stood admiring these masterpieces of painting, Monsignore Talbot (an English bishop) joined us, and we then proceeded to the reception room which was a long saloon, with exquisitely frescoed ceiling, but no adornment of furniture.

Near a table, at one end of the room, his Holiness was seated. He arose when we entered. Monsignore Talbot presented us, and immediately retired. As we approached him, he held out his hands, and a sweet voice said, “Welcome to Rome, my friends.” I knelt before him and kissed his hand, with the earnest reverence I would feel for an honored parent. At once we glided into conversation, and were soon completely charmed by his genial manner, so honest and truthful. He is an exceedingly handsome man, about sixty years old, we were told, although he appears much younger. His features are fine and his eyes beautiful. The expression of his mouth is indescribably sweet, and his smile possesses a magnetic charm which draws to him all hearts. Every word and look revealed the generous and sympathetic nature, which, were it within his power, would gladly shield every human creature from sin, suffering, or sorrow.

He spoke of our country, and its onward progress, with deep and warm interest, calling it the “noble land of Washington”. The New World, he remarked, had always been very dear to him, for the early days of his life as a priest had been passed in Buenos Ayres, South America. Its vast pampas he had traversed, and crossed over the Andes to the Pacific shore of the continent. During his residence in Chili, Pope Gregory had called him to Italy, and soon after named him Bishop of Imola. Oh! Mamma, it was a perfect enjoyment to listed to his descriptions of those far-away lands, and of the sublime scenery of the lofty mountains whose summits are nearest heaven.

We conversed at first in French and Spanish (English, the Pope said, he could never learn); but fearing it might be some effort to his Holiness to speak them, I begged he would address me in Italian, which, although not so familiar to me as the other languages, I could understand exceedingly well. How glad I was afterwards this thought came to me, for his utterance of the Italian was as soft and melodious as the strains of music, so rich, full, and sonorous. The orations of Cicero, and the verses of Virgil, were worthy of a language harmonious like this; for, though the Italian is somewhat changed, it is still the daughter of the Latin, and has all the exquisite grace of expression and flowing elegance of the parent tongue….

The Pope asked O. (Octavia’s daughter Octavia Jr.) her name, and she replied, “Octavia”, while I added, “She bears my name, your Holiness, and I was called after the Roman Octavia, whose character my mother greatly admired.” Whereupon his Holiness uttered a most charming panegyric upon the character of my illustrious namesake, saying, “You should be proud of that name, for the Roman Octavia possessed every virtue and grace which should adorn a woman. Even now, in Rome, you will find an undying remembrance of her noble and generous qualities, and many monuments to her memory.”

Thank you a thousand times, Mamma, for giving me the name of Octavia.
I wish I could repeat to you all of the words the Pope said, they were so genial, sparkling with intellect, and warm with kindness. After one hour’s interview, we bade him farewell. But ere we left him, he gave me his benediction. As I knelt before him, he placed his hand upon my head, saying, “May the blessing of God descend upon you, and his Holy Spirit guide you into all truth, may God’s providence protect you and your’s, and bring you in peace to the world of the redeemed.” …


Octavia met Elizabeth Browning in Florence, Italy. I picked up this steel engraving at an antique shop in New Orleans.

Octavia and her entourage met the Brownings in Florence. As usual, they had appropriate letters of introduction from mutual friends. Robert and Elizabeth Browning had moved to Italy for Elizabeth’s health. Octavia wrote in her book … “Then Mrs. Browning I loved directly. Oh! She is indeed a precious gem! With all her varied and profound learning, and high poetic gift, she is as simple and unassuming in manner as a child. What visit of joy it was to me, in their love-sanctified and art-beautiful home.” …


I portray Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (see Florida Chautauqua programs). This 1860s black dress might have somewhat resembled what Octavia would have worn to meet the Pope in 1855.



Beauvoir, home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Biloxi, Mississippi

Perhaps one consequence of Octavia's audience with the Pope, was his personal understanding of the Civil War. I understand Pope Pius IX wrote a letter and offered a prayer to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Hosting many of the cultured and powerful of the day in her home, Octavia would have known about Jefferson Davis' home in Biloxi as well as Montgomery. I recently had the opportunity to visit both. Again, great day and side trips from South Walton. Travelers go both ways. I understand that Mississippi United States Senator Trent Lott was recently a guest at WaterColor in South Walton.


Confederate White House of President Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, Alabama. Another good day trip from South Walton. A night's stay at a historic bed and breakfast would also be a good choice. I've had good luck with the Drury, a hotel, in Montgomery.


Octavia's birthday is August 11, 1811. Perhaps she purchased this glass bowl in Venice, Italy in advance to celebrate. Bowl is on display at the Mobile Museum. Happy Birthday, Octavia. Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert's home in Mobile was filled with fine art, silver and the celebrated of society. Octavia had met with Pope Pius IX in Rome, Italy on April 19, 1855.


What else might Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert and Pope Pius IX have discussed? Perhaps they remembered the first religious service held in the Pensacola, Florida area August 15, 1559 -- The Feast of the Assumption by the Dominican Friars who were with explorer Tristan de Luna. Pensacola was founded in 1559, before St. Augustine which was established in 1565. photo by a.s.