The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-21
Scene i'm st. Peters at the
Opening Of the Jubilee of the Aged
Church Rulers POntificate.
HIS HOLINESS IN GAY ROBES
BORNE In THE SEDIA GESTATORIA
ON THE SHOULDERS OF MEN.
Smiles for Everybody as He Was Car
ried About the Hall-"The Happi-
est Day of My Life,'' He Said.

ROME, Feb. 20.-'It seems impossible
that it is twenty-five years since / have
been there was Pope Leo's exclamation
as he looked from a window Of his apart
ments this morning into the sunlit piazza
of st. Peters. This was the Pontif's only
reference to his long term of self-imposed
Imprisonment i'm the Vatican, during which
he has never gone beyond the palace
grounds and st. Peters, which is consid-
cred part of the Vatican.
What a glorious morning for the jubi-
lee of my pontificate." the Pope added, as
he proceeded with evident pleasure to pc
ruse the almost innumerable kilograms.
letters and addresses. of congratulations
which have reached the Vatican from all
parts of the world.
The hall of beatification, above the por-
tico of st. Peters. where the Pontiff held
his Jubilee receptiOn, presented a brilliant
scene. 1t was beautifully hung with an
tique brocades and illuminated by thou
sands of electric lights and wax candles.
The boxes lining the long narrow hall were
filled TO their capacity with members of
the Roman aristocracy, diplomats. women
with black wells. men in evening dress and
monks and sisters in varying garbs. Here
and there groups of papal guards in bright
uniforms lent color to the whole. Notable
among the diplomats was Count Almodovar,
head of the special mission sent to repre-
sent the King of Spain at the jubilee.
The struggle to get into the hall was ter
rifle. People were swept off their feet and
women were overcome, but no one was real
ly injured. The babel of tongues raised in
protest testified to the worldwide charac-
ter of the gathering. Among the Ameri-
cans present were Bishops Maurice Burke
of st. Joseph, Mo. and Edward Dunno. of
Dallas, Tex; Fathers s. O'Donnell and
Hugh Ohara McShane. of Chicago, and
Thomas OGara. of Wilmington. ILL.,, Mrs.
and Miss Choate and r. U. Johnson.
.nere was a long and tedious wait before
the ceremony commenced. and the audi
ence was growing restless when suddenly a
great roar of Long live Leo and Long
of ,fe the rne Po1ti His Hoiness was 1 borne Vh in
the sedia gestatoria on the shoulders of
eight men habted in red brocade. The
Pope hmsel. wore gorgeous robes and had
the triple crown on his head. He bestowed
his benediction right and left as he passed
through the cheering concourse. whose en-
thusiasm was so great and whose desire to
touch the hem of the Popes gown was so
intense that the presence of the guards
seened really necessary for his protection.
In a procession. surrounded by such a bril-
liant escort of preiates. aristocracy and
guards, Pope Leo always appears at his
best. His feebleness and bent form are
hidden and the public sees only the vener-
able patriarch with cameo-like features
and kindly smile.
When the Pope advanced to the throne
the Pecc family. that of the Pontff stood
on its right. and Count Almodovar on it's
left. When the Pontiff ascended the throne
ne seemed to be in a kind of glorified at
mosphere attained by peculiar aram of
red draperies before the windows.
Cardinal Respighi, vicar of Como, read
Latin address expressing loyalty and de-
yo.ion and offered the $4,000 gold tiara the
Jubilee present of the Catholic world.
Cardinal Ferrari. archbishop of Milan i'm
behalf of pilgrims from Lombardy pre-
sented an address of felicitation TO the
Pope and gold. silver and bronze COM
memorative medals. Cardinal Boschi read
a third address and presented 10 his Holi-
ness the symbolic keys. one of gold and the
| other of silver accompanied by an offer
| ing of $4,000 I'm gold coins The Roman
! committee for the jubilee fetes presented a
| parchment volume with the signatures of
| ali who had contributed to the offerings
with another $4,000 to be devoted TO the
restoration of the basilica of st. John
| Lateran, which is under the care of Cardi-
nal Satolli Other committees followed with
| addresses and offerings.
In am address his Holiness expressed
satisfaction at the manifest attention OF
| which he is the object on the part of the
| whole Catholic world For the second time
| in a century, continued Pope Leo, Chris,
| had wished to glorify His vicar on earth
by allowing him to reach the years Of St