ADORATION is also used in the court of Rome for the
ceremony of kissing the pope's feet. It is said of Diocletian, that he had gems fastened to his shoes that divine honours might be more willingly paid him, by kissing his feet. The like usage was afterwards adopted by the popes, and is observed to this day. These prelates, finding a vehement disposition in the people to fall down before them and kiss their feet, procured crucifixes to be fastened on their slippers; by which stratagem the adoration intended for the pope's person is supposed to be transferred to Christ.