The age-herald., 1900-12-25
THE HOLY DOOR OF
 ST. PETERS CLOSED Imposing Ceremony Performed by His Holiness the Pope VAST CROWD WAS PRESENT The Pontiff Gave Evidence of Being in Excellent HeaIth-A Magnificent
 Scene Inside the 6asilica.
 The Ceremonies.
VAST CROWD WAS PRESENT

Rome, December 24-The Pope today per- formed the ceremony of closing the Holy door of St. Peters Cathedral with the gor- geous forms usually customary on occa- slons of this kind. It was magnificent spectacle. There was great gathering of the princes of the church, who participated in the ceremony, which was witnessed by enormous crowds.
 The closing of the Holy door took place with the utmost pomp of the Catholic church His Holiness descended to St. Pe- ter's Cathedral at Il a. m. and the ceremo- Bies lasted until 1 p. m. The Pope then returned to his apartments apparently not faugued. He intoned the tedeum in a res- onate voice and throughout gave evidence e1 being in excellent health and spirits. He used the artistic golden trowel subscribed for by the Catholics of the world in morter- ing the three gilded bricks which he placed as a first layer on the threshold of St. Pe- ter's door, The whole Pontificial court par ticipated in the ceremonNs.
 The spectacle inside the Alst basilica was superb. The pillars of the central naiv were draped with gold and embroidered scarlet cloth and the porch under which the function took place was transformed into magnihcently decorated hall. On the left of the Holy door was erected the pom tifical throne covered with red and gold. On the right hand of the door stod tribunes for royal personages, princes, Knights of Malta, prelates, representatives of the Ro- man nobility and other distinguished per sons.
 Every Inch Occupied. Inside the church every inch of space was occupied by the throng which gathered early in the morning. A strong detach- ment of troops, stationed in the square in front of the cathedral controlled the in coming crowds who literally raced to se- cure the best positions.
 The Pope left his apartments at 11:45 a. m rrne in the sacred chair, and preceded
 rgy with lighted candles, bishops,
 bishops and cardinals, and escorted
 D pontifcal noble guards. On his ar
 t the portal of St. Peters, he alight-
 entered the church through the holy
 Is he appeared on the threshold the
 and silvery tone of the trumpet ealu. through the edifce. The chapter of -H fai can met him and presented to him tier, which he sprinkled upon the
 ,u, ration. Applause being forbidden, a
 ll silence was observed which
 ed the grandeur and impressive
 he moment.
 now on the Sedia Gestatoria to the
 -ar, he stepped to the ground and
 .HIC ere the most precious relics of the
 tI9le church, which were displayed on be afzs Then the procession reformed and proceeded to the chapel of the sacrament, where the pontiff again knelt for some l time while the choir Of the Sistine Chapel onanted Psalms.
 Borne to the Holy Door. l The Pope was then borne to the holy | door, where he alighted from the Sedia l Gestatoria and waited until the entire pro- cession had passed ont through the door, he leaving the church last, and walking to the throne, where he seated himself. A number of sacred songs were sung by the papal choir after which Leo rose and blessed all the material employed in closing the door. Then he descended from the throne, knelt before the dome, and laid with the golden trowel a layer of cement, on which he placed three gold bricks with commemorative inscriptions. Beside the bricks he placed casket containing gold, silver and bronze medals, and bearing the head of Leo and inscriptions recording the opening and closing of the holy door. The Pope having ascended the throne, Cardinal Bishop Serafino van Nutelli, great peniteniary and four other cardinals per formed a similar ceremony of laying ce- ment and three bricks, after which the ma sons employed by the vatican closed tine doorway with a canvass screen, painted to represent marble with cross in the cen- te;
 The candles borne by the clergy were ex- tiguished the tedeum was sung and the