New-York tribune., 1900-12-25
POPE CLOSES HOLY DOOR.
EIGHTY THOUSAND PERSONS WITNESS
MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE.
HIS HOLINESS SHOWS NO SIGN OF FATIGUE
AFTER THE CEREMONY. WHICH
LASTED TWO HOURS.

Rome Dec 24-The Pope to-day performed
the ceremony of closing the Holy Door of st.
Peters Cathedral with the gorgeous ceremonial
usual to great functions of this kind. 1t was
a magnificent spectacle. There was great
gathering of the Princes of the Church, VINO
participated in the ceremony, which was VII
messed by enormous crowds. Just one year ago
the Pope soemnly inaugurated the Holy year
by performing the impressive ceremony OF open
ing the Holy Door of st. Peters Cathedral at IL
o'clock in the morning.
To-day His Holiness descended to st. Peter S
Cathedral at II a M. and the ceremonies lasted
until l p. m. The Pope then returned to his
apartments, apparently not fatigued He in
toned the TIE Deum in a resonant voice, and
throughout gave evidence of being in excellent
health and spirits He used the artistic golden
troweI subscribed for by the Catholics of the
world in mortarng the three gilded bricks
which he placed, a first layer, on the
threshold of ST Peters door The whole Pontln
cal Court participated in the ceremonies 1t Is
estimated that eighty thousand persons IN all
were spectators of the ceremony.
The spectacle inside the vast Basilica was
superb. The pillars of the central nave were
draped with gold embroidered scarlet CLOTH and
the porch under which the function took place
was transformed into a magnifcently decorated
hall On the left Of the Holy Door was erected
the Pontifcal Throne, covered with red ana
gold. On the right hand of the door stood tr1o'
VI es for royal personages. princes, Knights OF
Malta, prelates, representatives of the Roman
nobility and other distinguished persons. In
side the church every inch of space was occu-
pied by the throng which gathered early IN
the morning strong detachment of troops.
stationed in the square in front of the Cathedral,
controlled the incoming crowds, who nterally
raced to secure the best places.
The Pope was borne to st. Peters in the
Sacred Chair and was preceded by clergy with
lighted candles bishops, archbishops and car
dinals and escorted by the Pontifcal Noble
Guards On his arrival at the portal he alighted
and entered the church through the Holy Door
AS he appeared on the threshold. the solemn ana
silvery tones of the trumpet echoed through
the edifice The Chapter Of the Vatican met
him and presented to him holy water which ne
sprinkIed upon the congregation. Applause oe-
ing forbidden a religious silence was observed
which heightened the grandeur and Impressive
ness Of the moment.
Borne now on the Sedia Gestatoria to the
High Altar. he stepped to the ground and knet
before the most precious relics OF the Catholic
Church which were displayed the altar
Then the procession reformed and proceeded 70
the Chapel Of the Sacrament. where the Pontn
again knelt for some time, while the choir OF
the Sistine Chapel chanted psalms. The POPE
was then borne 10 the Holy Door. where ne
alighted from the Sedia Gestatoria- and waited
until the entire procession had passed oft
through the door. he leaving the church last ana
walking to the throne. where he seated himself
A number of sacred songs were sung by the
Papal Choir, after which Pope Leo rose ana
blessed all the material employed in closing the
door Then he descended from the throne. knelt
before the door and laid with the golden trowel
a. layer of cement, which he placed three gilt
bricks bearing commemorative inscriptions Be
side the bricks he placed a casket containing
gold. silver and bronze medals bearing the head
of Leo and inscriptions recording the opening
and closing of the Holy Door.
The Pope having reascended the throne. Car
dinal Bishop Serafno Vannutelli, Great Peni-
tertiary. and four other Cardinals, performed
a similar ceremony of laying cement and three
bricks after which the masons employed by the
Vatican closed the doorway with canvas
screen painted to represent marble. with cross
in the centre. The candles borne by the clergy
were extinguished, the TIE Deum was sung and
the Pontiff, having given solemn benediction'
was Immediately carried back to his apart
ments.