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Show ROM?:, Aug. 9. The ceremony of the coronation of Pope Pius X took Place today in the basilica of St. Peter's in the presence of the princes, and with all the solemnity and splendor splen-dor associated with this, the most magnificent mag-nificent rite in the Roman Catholic church. As Cardinal Macchi, the dean of the cardinal deacons, placed the triple crown on the head of the venerable pontiff the throng of 70,000 persons i gathered within the cathedral buret into unrestrained acclamations, the choir intoned a hymn of triumph and the bells of Rome rang out a joyful peal. Gorgeous Scene. It Is years since the Romans and Europe Eu-rope assisted at such a functicn as was held in St. Peter's today. The great basilica, popularly supposed never to have been quite full, was overflowing with humanity. The papal throne, owing ow-ing to a bewildering mixture of gold, red and silver, was erected in front of the high altar. As, contrary to custom on these ceremonious ocasions, there were no galleries, the basilica bore more of its normal aspect. On the altar, which was dressed in white, stood the famous silver and gold candlesticks r-Jid magnificent crucifix. All the available avail-able standing space within the cathedral cath-edral was divided into sections by wooden barriers, which to a certain extent ex-tent kept the vast crowd in orer. In the early hours after sunrise a thick fog hung over Rome and one bar.k of the Tiber could not be seen from the other, while from the Angelo bridge one seemed to look Into a fathomless fath-omless abyss instead of the river. The effect was especially iragniScent on en- j tering the piazza . of St. Peter's. At times Michael Angelo's great dome disappeared dis-appeared completely from view, while at others it appeared through an overflowing over-flowing mist. The morning wore on and the fog disappeared and the sun shone with all its intfnsity until it became be-came unbearably hot and the stones, columns and statutes seemed to radiate radi-ate the heat on the thousands waiting in A-ntpr the .church. Rush For the Doors. At 6 a.-tin. the ringing of bells announced an-nounced the imminent opening of the doors and a commotion at once began among the crowd. But ten minutes had fb elapse before the doors were ; opened and each seemed a century to the waiting crowd, which for hours had ( been standing before the closed portals. The police and Italian soldiery had a difficult task to maintain order as th.e crushing and fatigue had begun to tell on the patience of the people. When the doors were opened the inrush in-rush was terrific, many who started from th bottom of the steps outside bfing lifted off their feet and carried into the cathedral. It was a great human hu-man torrept let loose, thousands of people peo-ple rushing, crushing and squeezing mid screams, protests, gesticulations) and cries for help. But once in the i cathedral there was vno escape and the , compactness of the crowd proved to be ( the safety of those who were caught in it Women fainted in comparatively large numbers and even men were over- j come bv heat, but no serious accidents , .were reported. Fortunately there were verv few children present. After then entrance the people had further long nours of vaiting. and It is computed fhat the majority were on .eir feet altogether al-together ten hours before ths cere mnleS'Notables Out in Force. Those who had received special invitations, invi-tations, including ihe high ecclesiastics, who were not participants in the processions, pro-cessions, the diplomats and the Roman aristocracy, had a eJ5e through the sacristy of St. I ete s. Pr net Massimo arrival, accompanied L- fete dawSiter-in-law. Princess Bea- trice, the daughter of Don Carlos, and they were given- ,irominent seats. Duke Robert of Parma was the only other member of a royal family to attend. Among the aristocracy there w'as a great mixture of those Roman ir,bles who remain faithful 10 the papacy ant those adhering to the quirinal. Sir Thomas Esmonde, representing the I Irish parliamentary party, was received by two knights of :he cape and sword, one F. C. McNutt. an American' and conducted to the diplomatic enclosure. Inside the Vatican palace there was no less movement and bustle as the papal procession, composed of about 500 persons., all of whom had gathered early in the apostolic palace, was formed. , Pius X Tranquil. The pope seemed to be the only tranquil tran-quil one among the multitude. He rose unusually early and took a stroll in the Vatican garden. Then he allowed himself him-self to be dressed by the cardinals. He evidenced no nervousness and even said jokingly to the master of ceremonies, cere-monies, who the other day suggested that he should use the plural form in speaking of himself: "We . feel very well this morning, but we may be different dif-ferent on returning from our coronation." corona-tion." Just before entering the sedia gesta-toria. gesta-toria. he asked for his spectacles and When the master of ceremonies dis-. creetly answered that his holiness would look better without them, he said: "I have no desire to appear what I am not," and in fact he wore them during the entire ceremony. The procession was a long time in getting under way. but afterwards, as it moved through the magnificent halls and corridors of the Vatican, it recalled former days when all was color and picturesqueness within fhe palace. The pope was the central figure in the long procession. White robes and the mitre were worn without an effort,, making a vivid contrast to those memorable mem-orable occasions when Pope Leo XIII wore them, for Leo seemed always unable un-able to support their weight. Over the pontiff's head a canopy was held by eight men, while the historic ostrich feather fans with peacock tips gave a touch of barbaric splendor to western eves. Surrounding Pope Tius were the noble guards in new red uniforms and gleaming helmets and carrying swords, while in front marched the cardinals, a gorgeous bit of color with many handsome faces among them the cardinal car-dinal bishops in their capes, the cardinal cardi-nal priests wearing chasubles and the cardinal deacons in their delmatics. Another ngure which evoked murmurs of admiration and craning of necks was the chaplain in his crimson cape, proudly bearing the cushion on which reposed the famous triple crown so soon to rest on the head of Pius X. Seated on the Throne. He was accompanied by the pontifical pontifi-cal jeweler and by a special guard composed of Swiss, and was followed by the choir of the Sistine chapel. Before leaving the Vatican the pope went to the Sistine chapel to worship before the sacrament exposed therein, then he passed through the sala regia j and the Constantine staircase into the I portico of the basilica. He there seated seat-ed himself on a throne erected directly before the holy door and with seats around for the members of the sacred college, the chapter of St. Peter's and the papal court. . At the right of the throne stood Prince Orsini, the assistant assist-ant to the papal throne, who withdrew his recent resignation of the post in order to participate in the function. Immediately beside the pope were the major domo. Mgr. Cagaino: the master of the chamber, Mgr. Bisletl: the master mas-ter of ceremonies, Mgr. Riggi, and Dr. Papponi. The pontiff was very pale but composed. The low ceiling sent back an exquisite exquis-ite .echo of the Tues Petrus, sung by I the Sic tine choir, whose voices were J htai-d outside in the piazza of St. Peter's. Pe-ter's. Cardinal Rampolia, advancing with dignity, knelt at the foot of the pope. He then said: "I offer an act of obedience to your holiness and wish you a glorious and prosperous pontificate." pontifi-cate." The cardinal recalled that the bodies of. the first pope and of St. Paul rested in the basilica; which fact, he said was of good "augury for the work of the new hea,d of the Catholic church. Sarto Deeply Touched. The pontiff was visibly touched and, answering in a trembling voice, warmly warm-ly thanked the cardinals for their well Wishes. "Good' wishes," he said, "are extremely precious." , The procession - then reformed and proceeded 'to the doon of the basilica, through which Pius X gave an almost terror-stricken glance, whispering to Dr. Papponi, "Shall I ever be able to go through with it?" The people in the basilica had in the meantime become impatient, and whni the gleaming' cross which preceded the cortege was seen it was greeted with great applause. On the appearance of j the pontiff himself it seemed as though the people would seek to carry him in their arms, so . great was their enthusiasm. enthu-siasm. Cries of "Pius, Our Pope, Ouv Father," and "Long Live Fius X" were raised notwithstanding the large placards pla-cards posted all over the basilica, saying: say-ing: "Acclamations are forbidden." Leaflets to. the. same effect were districted dis-tricted among the crowd. The cries continued until the -pontiff was compelled com-pelled to rise and bless the multitude, and at the same time he made a sign for more reverential behavior. Silence was enforced when the choir announced" its entrance ' with .the ' "Eccesacerdos Magnus.'" which were accompanied by the sweet notes of the silver trumpets. . Ancient Ceremony. A quaint ceremony was then carried cut. The master of ceremonies knelt three times before the pontiff, each time lighting a handful of hemp which surmounted a silver torch, and as the flames flashed and went out he said: "Holy Father, thus passeth away the glory, of the world.'" The procession then proceeded, the pope's face meanwhile illuminated by a smile. At the Chapel or the Sacrament Sacra-ment there was another' halt; and his holiness left the sedan chair and prayed at the altar. On re-entering the chair he was carried to the Chapel of St. Gregory, Where he officiated at mass, being assisted by Cardinals Macchi. Di Pietro, Segna and Vannutelli. Then the cardinals donned their silver capes and white mitres and the pope was borne to the throne amid renewed acclamations ac-clamations and waving of handkerchiefs handker-chiefs and hats. Then was presented a magnificent picture to which no pen could do justice. jus-tice. The central figure was the venerable vener-able pontiff, seated on the throne. Two hues of cardinals clad in . silver and scarlet, reached to'the high altar with Us burden of burning candles and sa- ' cred vessels, while around stood the papal guards. . the pontifical court, monks and officials. The cathedral was iliuminated with twinkling lights, while the marble columns and . walls rendered the color scheme more vivid. Overhead was the most magnificent dome in the world, up to which floated the harmony of the music. . St.. Peter's Crypt. From the throne Pius X, surrounded by his suite,, walked to the high altar, standing over the crypt of St. Peter,' into which meanwhile Cardinal Macchi descended to pray. The altar was surmounted sur-mounted by baldachino supported by four historic bronze .illars taken from : the pantheon. The appearance of the j pope in that elevated position called for ' another burst of enthusiasm. The pope' then blessed the altar and after saymg ' the "lndulgentiagm," the maniple, a i symbol of th cord wi.th' w hich Christ j was bound on. his capture," was placed, I with great ceremony;:. upon the pope's j arm. At the same time prayers for the j coronation. ..were recited by Cardinals I Vannutelli! Mocenni, Agliardi-and Sa-tolli. Sa-tolli. Returning from the. crypt.; Cardinal Car-dinal Macchi placed upon the shoulders shoul-ders of the pope the pontifical palium and attached it with three golden jevv-eled jevv-eled pins, saying: "Receive this paired . pallium as a symbol of the fullness of the pontifical office, in honor of Almighty. Al-mighty. God, the most elorious Virgin Mary, his mother, the blessed Apostle St. Peter and St. Paul and the :io'y Roman Catholic church." ', . Mass was then celebrated with, meat pomp and ceremony, tno voice (f it.e pope becoming gradually more firm until un-til it was even audible in th.; -most distant dis-tant corner of the. Immense eft arch. Following this, Car 'iml Macchi performed per-formed the rite of incensing t?f rote, whom he subsequently kissed1 Mn-ee times on the cheek and chest, .as did Cardinals Signa and Vannutelli. On the pope's return to the throne, the cardinals offered their last obedience obe-dience to the pontiff, kisung his hands and feet and receiving an embrace by him twice in turn. The bishops and I archbishops kissed his foot and right knee, while the abbots kissed only his foot. The holy father then walked to the shrine of St. Peter for the culminating culmin-ating rites of the extremely, fatiguing ceremony. The whole sacred college . gathered about the pope singing palestrinas, "corona aurea super caput ejus," while the choir burst forth into song. Cardinal Car-dinal Macchi then recited the "Pater noster" and offered the following prayer: . "Omnipotent and ever eternal Sod, grant thy servant. Pius X, grace to fruitfully govern thy church, so that he, who by thy clemency becomes and is crowned as father of kings and rector rec-tor of all the faithful, through thy wise dispensation may govern well." "Amen" rang out from all corners of the cathedral, from the choir, the people, peo-ple, the clergy and the patricians." Received Triple Crown. Cardinal Deacon Segna-then raised the pontiff's mitre and Senior Cardinal Deaeon Macchi placed on the white head the triple crown. At this moment the church was filled with the ringing of bells, the blowing of silver trumpets, trump-ets, the triumphant strains of the choir and the acclamations of the multitude, which could not be suppressed. When comparative silence had been restored. Cardinal Macchi addressed the pope in Latin as follows: "Receive the tiara ornament, with three crowns. Remember, thou art father fa-ther of princes and kings, the rector of the world, the vicar on earth of our Savior, Jesus Christ." "Amen,'' again burst forth from the concourse. Pope Pius was almost overcome and had scarcely strength .left to impart the aposiolic benediction. Cardinals Macchi and Segna granted plenary in-' dulgence to all present, and the procession pro-cession then re-formed and left the basilica ba-silica in the same form as it came. The pope was visibly fatigued and his right hand shook as he raised it time after time to bestow his blessing. When the ceremony was over all the exits to the basilica were opened and within less than an hour the hall was empty. Strong as Pius X is physically, he supported the ordeal of his coronation today perhaps with less fortitude than did Leo XIII when he was crowned, although al-though Leo was merely a shadow of a man. But he possessed a. will whim nothing could br3ak. This 'evening, when the pontiff received the Duke of Parma he said to him: "Not counting the election, today was the most tre-mendous'experienc-e of my life, i must find a way to stop tne noise in the church. It is an offenfe against religion. re-ligion. " United States Senator Newiands has contributed $30 for the purchase of a bell for the Catholic church at Winne-mucca, Winne-mucca, Nev. |