The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-04
PUTS ON WHITE CAP.
Scenes and Incidents of the Installa-
ton of Plus x.

Rome, Aug. Awhile Prince Chigi,
the master of the conclaVe. was drawing
up the official act of the election and &C
ceptance of the newly elected pope, the
latter, surrounded by his friends, dis
appeared into a small room near the
altar, where he donned. With who can
say what feelings of triumph and hui
mility, the white robes of his office. Plus
x was assisted by his conclavist, who
first knelt and kissed his masters hand
and thus received the first apostolic
Blessing by Plus X.
The new pope was attired in white
with the exception of red shoes, which
was quite regular, but he did not stop
20 remove the red cardinals stockings
Tor the white papal ones and these
Showed as he raised his gown 10 move
toward. When he was quite robed, the
secretary of the conclave, Monsignor
Merry Del Val, kneeling, offered him the
papal white cap, amidst GREATNESS 81
ience. He did not follow the precedent
created by Pope Leo, who declined to
give his red cap to the master OF cere-
monies as a sign that he would soon be
created a cardinal. but with slight
smile, Sarto took the white cap. placed
II calmly on his head and dropped the
red one lightly on the head of Monsignor
Merry Del Val amidst a murmur OF APP
proval. This is taken as a certain indi-
cation that the happy recipient is soon
to be raised to the cardinalate.
AS the new pontiff stepped from be
hind the altar. the only touch OF color
ABOUT MIN DelnR MS red ana gold SHOES,
he really seemed to be the embodiment
of his holy office. His face was pale
and clearly softened by emotion. He
paused a moment as he came before the
expectant cardinals then seated himself
on the throne, with a hurried movement
as though he had suddenly grown weak
His back was to the altar and he was
enthroned to receive the sO-called first
obedience" of the cardinals. They came
forward, one by one, some calm and
t.,I
while still others found considerable
difficulty, even at this hour, in conceal
ing their too obvious disappointment.
All kissed his hand and foot. while he
ealuted each on the cheek, with the kiss
of peace. Then all broke into the TIE
Deum with such effect that scarcely an
eye was dry.
Plus x then rose and in a voice at
first tremulous but gradually becoming
full and firm, administered the papal
blessing to all of the members of the
sacred college. 1t was received with
bowed and uncovered heads.
The fisherman's ring, not yet having
been found, a new one designed by Cam
erlengo Oreglia, was placed on the pom
tiff's finger as a symbol of renewed
power and evidence that the Catholic
church has once more a sovereign head.
Sarto bore himself with becoming dig
nifty and gave no outward sign of exulta-
ton in this, the supreme moment of his
life.
In the meanwhile masons and car
penters had been busy. breaking down
DOORS so that the cardinal deacons. to-
gether with the master of ceremonies
and the conclavists and many others,
might proceed to the balcony of St
Peters. The populace waiting in the
piazza had already. at half past II
o'clock, seen the tiny thread of smoke
almost transparent, which warned them
what to expect so that when the win
dows on the balcony slowly opened and
the great cleaning cross was seen, the
excitement and impotence heightened
to the extreme.
Slowly Cardinal Machi, secretary of
the congregation of apostolic briefs. ad-
Vanced and exclaimed in loud voice:
I announce to you with great pleas
ure that we have elected as pope the
most eminent Reverend Cardinal Joseph
SartO, who has taken the name Of
Plus X"
Then the bells of St. Peters doomed
out as did those of all the churches Of
Rome, giving the glad news to the
world.
As Cardinal Macchi Returned to the
Sistine chapel after having performed
his Dious duty. the new pope rose and
an effort to make some kind of pro-
cession was made, but Plus was lit
orally carried in triumph to his cell,
followed by great concourse and pre-
ceded BY the cross He was stopped
every step or two by those anxious to
kiss his ring and receive the oaDal
blessing. Wnltn odIIO ACCORDED Win
great benignity and patience.
AS the new pope passed along many
of those present tried to prove that they
had always known what the result
would be and. how satisfied they all
We're.
why. of course" shouted one be
fore the conclave gathered 1 always said
It would be he"
If any of these compliments reached
the ears of the pontif he gave no sign
thereof When he arrived at the door
of his cell the pope turned and raising
his hands gave in a voice almost suf-
located with emotion. his benediction
to the assembly, which received it on
Bonded knees.
After a short rest. imposed by the
fatigue and emotion of his election.
Plus X Joined his court in the ducai
hall for the solemn benediction which
he was about to give to the people of
Rome. Although to the ordinary eyes
the confusion was as great as ever, to
those practiced in the mysteries Of the
vatican order was coming out of chaos
OF the pope was much more formal
The babel of voices sank at his aD-
proach, while none addressed him UNI
less he spoke first
The formal salutations having termi-
mated, a procession was formed. In the
center was the pontiff in his white
robes, his figure standing out above
those surrounding him. his silver hair
cleaning under his white cap He was
surrounded by the cardinals still in
their violet robes and preceded by the
pontiical cross, the jewels of which
flashed as though thye also triumphed
in SartOS success, while the cOnclaV-
lists and prelates seemed really jubilant
in their joy and satisfaction.