Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-21
POPE LEO XIII
Celebrates 18th Anniversary
of His Accession.
Aged Pontiff Shows Much Interest
and Pleasure in Ceremonies.
Many Americans at Celebration of
Jubilee of PontificaI.

Rome. Feb. 20.-''It seems impossible
that it is % years since ! have been
there" was the Pope's exclamation nc
he looked from a window of his apart
ments Friday morning. into the sunlit
piazza of st. Peters, This was the
Pontif's only reference to his long tern,
of self imposed Imprisonment in the
/ Vatican during which he has never
gone beyond the palace grounds and st.
/ Peters which is considered to be part
of the Vatican What a glorious morn
! ing for the jubilee of my pontificate.
! the Pope added as he proceeded With
| evident pleasure to peruse the almost
I innumerable kilograms, letters and ad-
dresses of congratulation which have
reached the Vatican from all parts Of
/ the world.
/ The hall of Identification above the
portion OF St. Peters, where the Pom
TIT held his jubilee reception, present
ed a brilliant scene. 1t was beautifully
hung with antique brocades and ilu-
minated by thousands of electric lights
and wax candles. The boxes lining the
long narrow hall We're filled to their
capacity with members of the Roman
aristocracy diplomats. women with
black wells, men in evening dress and
monks ana sisters in varying garbs.
Here and there groups of Papal Guards
in bright uniform lent color to the
whole. Notable among the diplomats
was Count Almdovar. head of the
special nilsson sent to represent the,
King of Spain at the jubilee.
The struggle to get into the hall was
terrific. People We're swept off their
feet and women We're overcome but
no one was really injured The babel
of tongues raised in protest testified
to the world wide character of the
gathering. =
Among the Americans present were
bishops Maurice Buukis Of St. JOSEPH
Mo-. and Edward Dunnfof Dallas. Texas:
Fathers $. r. Mcdonnell and Hugh.
OGara McShane of Chicago. ILL.,: ana
Thomas o'Gara OF Wilmington. Ill. Mrs
and Miss Choate and r. t. Johnson
There was a long ana tedious wait be-
fore the ceremony began and the audi
ence was growing restless when stiddcnir
great roar of Long Live Leo and
Long Live the Pope King announced
the arrival of the PontiG. His TIolincss
was borne in in the sedia gestatoria On
the shoulders of eight men hahitod in re-
brocadc. The Pope himself wore Goi.-
seous robes and had the triple crown on
his head lie bestowed his bencdiction
right and left as lie passed through the
cheering concourse, whose enthusiasm
was 50 great and whose desire to touch
the hem OF his gown was so intense tina
the presence of the guards seemed rcal>
necessary for his protection.
In a procession surrounded by such =
brilliant escort of prelates, arstocraey
and guards Pope Leo always appears IL
his hest. His feebleness and bent form
are hidden and the public sees only thn
venerable pa rarch with cameo like feat
ures and kindly smile who fulnIs it's ev- |
cry ideal.
When the Pope advanced to the |
throne, the Iecc family, Chat Of the |
PontifD stood on its right ana Count
Almodovar stood on its left.
Cardinal Ferrari. (archbishop of Mi |
LAMP on behalf of a pilgrimage from |
Eombardy. presented an address OF |
eelcit:ttion TO the Pope, who thanked !
the pilgrims and gave them his bene- /
diction.
subsequently the presentation Of gifts |
took place, including the gold tiara.
the jubilee present of the catholic |
world which cost $4,000: the gold |
medal and the symbolic keys. After |
hestowiug an apostolic blessing the |
Pope returned TO his apartments |
amidst the enthusiastic plaudits of the |
multitude.
The Pope completed the functions of !
his Jubilee without undue fatigue. Up |
orr N IN, his ~, l,n
claimed This is really the happest |
day of my life"