Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-03-07
POPE LEO'S JUBILEE
$500 People Crowd St. Peters to
Pay Respec; to Pontiff.
DAZZLING SCENE IN CATHEDRAL

Pope's Appearance Was Greeted With
Tremendous Roar of Welcome.
Blessings Bestowed On Many-Pon.
tiff Well Pleased With Demonstration
Rome, March 4-From sunrise yes
terday all Rome was on the alert and
showing most unusual animation and
interest In the celebration Of the 25th
anniversary of the coronation Of Pope
Leo XIII. The scene on the piazZi of
St Peters was magnificent. There
were assembled many hundreds of
Italian troops in various modern uni
forms, making striking contrast with
the medieval costumes OF the Swiss
Papal Guard, on duty at the bronze
doors Of the cathedral The crowds
which gathered before the first cor
don of troops were impatient as they
stood dripping under the persistent
rain.
When the doors Of St Peters were
opened an almost indescribable strug-
gle occurred. in which the immense
crowd pushed and elbowed desperately
to reach the interior of the cathedral.
The crush was so great that many
women tainted. Fully $4,000 were in
the hall when the ceremonies began,
There were about 1000 Americans
present.
At II o'clock precisely the great bell
of st. Peters rang out signal, which
was followed by the changing of the
bells of about 500 churches in Rome
as. they sounded The announcement
that the Pontiff was on his way to the
Basilica. The life of the ancient city
seemed to pause for a moment, hats
were raised. and the sign of the cross
was made. Shortly afterwards, inside
st. Peters, silver trumpets blared out
their message and the Pontiff ap-
peared. The people held their breath
for a moment and then all the pent.
up enthusiasm burst forth In ire
mendous roar OF welcome. From his
elevation on the new Soda Gestatoria.
carried by IL men in costumes Of red
brocade, flanked by the famous fla.
belli (spreading feather fans), and
surmounted by a white and gold can
opy. the Pope appeared TO be more
than a human being. He seemed to
be a white spirit, this impression be-
ing added to by the Pontif's white
robes and white mitre. delicate fea
lures, face white as alabaster, and his
thin hand moving slowly in benedic.
ton.
When the Pope arrived at the throne
| the ceremony proceeded rapidly. Leav.
ing the Sedia Gestatoria, the Pontiff
knelt and prayed, and then rose with
! out assistance, donned the falda, and
the new triple crown, and the celebra
ton of the mass began. At the mo-
ment OF the elevation Of the host a
| profound silence fell on the assem-
blage, the guards presented arms, the
people knelt, where 1t was possible
| for them to do so, and from the Gu
! pola came the clear. thin sounds OF sill
yer trumpets. giving the idea Of heav
emily music.
The Pope then administered the
Papal benediction, and retired to a
room for restoratives, prepared on pur
pose every time he goes to st. Peters
There, addressing DR.. Lapponi, his pri
vate physician, the Pontiff said: "You
see that after all your warnings the
ceremony did me good. What touch
| ing loyalty"
| When the Pope returned to the Vati
| can from the Basilica he resumed his
| place on the Sedia Gestatoria and was
carried throughout the whole length
| OF the cathedral, rising erect many
times to bestow blessings, while many
| princes, cardinals, diplomatists and
| bishops bowed low and the crowd sa
| luted him frantically.
The ceremony in st. Peters Cathe
dral lasted two hours and a quarter
| and although 1t was noticeable thai
| Pope Leo felt the effects of his recent
cold. all were surprised to see how
we'll he seemed. His voice was strong
his gestures vigorous, and the frantic
cheering which greeted his arrival and
| departure gave him visible pleasure
and brought a faint tinge Of color tc
his face.
| When the Pope reached his apart
| ments he wished to discuss the cere
mony and give his impressions of It
but his physician insisted on com
plete quiet, on which the Pontiff ex
claimed: The demonstration TO-DAY
has been so affecting. 1t surpassed al
my expectations. / am completely
satisfied. There was no note of dis
cord"