Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-25
Ceremony Conducted In Person
BY the Holy Father.
A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE.
Tho Venerable Popo Leo rntonod tho TIC
Deum I'm Resonant Voice and Through
out the Long Ceremony Gavo Evidence
of Boing in Excellent Health and Spirits
Tho Material Employed in Closing
tho Door Blessed.
tBy Telegraph to virglnion.pilot.,

(By Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot.)
Rome. December A-The Pope to-day
performed the ceremony of closing the
Holy door of ST. Peters Cathedral with
the gorgeous forms usual to great func-
lions OF this kind. II was magnificent
spectacle. There was great gathering
OF the Princes of the Church, who partic-
ipated In the ceremony. which wes wit
messed by enormous crowds.
THE POpES HEALTH
inc Closing OF the Holy door took place
with the utmost pomp OF Catholic Church
His Holiness descended 10 St. Peters ca
ny lasted until p. m. Tho Pope then re-
turned 10 his apartments apparently not
resonant voice and thoroughly gave ev
idencc of being In excellent health and
s 1rowei l lie used the artistic golden
OF the world, In mortaring the three
s tsxnr bricks which he placed AS a first
Ihe whole pontiilcal court participuted In
the ceremonies. "
a SUPERB SPECTACLE.
The spectacle outside the vast basilica
was, WAS suptrb. The pillars OF the central
nave were draped with golden embroidered
scarlet cloth. and the porch under which
;ns junction took place was transformed
The left Of the Holy door was erected the
nont,ihcal throne, covered with red and
s gnld , On the right hand of the door
st9ou tribunes for royal pcrsunages
primes, Knights of Malta, prelatcs. re6re
sentatiVes OF theRoman nobility and other
dislinguished persons. Inside the church
every inch of space was occupied by the
unrong, which gathered early In the
morning; strong detachment of troops,
Stationed IN tho square in front of the
Cathedral. controlled the Incoming
crowds. who literally raced to secure the
The Pope left his apartments at l1:45 n.
M: borne IN the sncred chair and preced-
with lighted candles, Bishops. Archbish-
ops, and Cardinals are escorted by the
pontihcal noble guards. On his arrival ut
INC portal or 81. Peters he .alighted and
as he appeared on the threshold, the so.
Tenn ana silvcry tones of the trumpet re-
echoed through the ediiice. The chapter
pi inc vatican met him and presented TO
MN holy water which he sprnkied upon
inc congregation; Applause being forbid
uen,a religious silence was observed which
heightened the grandeur and impressive
ness OF the moment.
PRECIOUS RELICS.
Borne, now on the scdia gestatoria TO
me nigh altar. he stepped to the 6 ound
Catolic Church which We're dispiayed on
me , altar. Then the procession reformed
and proceeded to the chapel of the sac
rament, where tho pontifI again kneIt for
some time, while the choir of the Sistine
chapel ,hnIp chanted psalms The Pope was
allShted from the sedia gestatorin and
waited until the entire procession had
phH'eu out tHTouBn the door, he leaving
the churcn last and walking to the
throne where he seated himself
~ number of sacred songs were sung
by the PapFal choir. after which Leo rose
blessed all the material employed in
closing, the door. Then he descended
from the throne, knclt before the dome
and laid with the golden trowcl n layer
Of cement on which he placed three gilt
prlcks bearing commemorative inscrin.
, tiona, Besides the bricks he placed a
medals and bearing the head OF Leo and
Inscriptions recording the opening and
closing OF the holy door.
a SIMILAR CEREMONY.
The Pope having re-ascended the
thLone, Cardinal Bishop Seraiino Vannu-
tell, great plenipotentiary, and four
other Cardinals, performed similar core
mony OF laying cement and three bricks.
after which the masons employed by the
Vatican closed the doorway with a can
vass screen painted to represent marble,
with cross in the centre.
The candles borne by the clergy were
extinguished the TeDenm was sung and
the Pontiff. having given solemn benedic-
tion. was Immediately carried back to his
apartments.
1t is estimated that $4,000 persons were
spectators of the ceremony.