The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-03-07
LATEST NEWS FROM ROME.
Anniversary of Pope Leo's Corona
tion-Striking Scenes Witnessed
People Present From All Over the
IHorIJ

tion-Striking Scenes Witnessed
People Present From All Over the
World.
Rome, March 3.-From sunrise today
all Rome was on the alert and showing
most unusual animation and interest
in the celebration of tue twenty fifth
anniversary of the coronation of Pope
Leo XIII. This movement was espec-
tally noticeable at the large hotels,
which were Illuminated as though for
ball. An idea Of The number of peo-
pie congregating at the vatican could
be formed by the fact that it was ut
terly impossible to get carriage if the
vehicle had not been ordered yesterday,
especially as it was raining. and by the
prices charged for those secured in adj
vance. The scene on the piazza of St.
Peters was magnificent. There were
assembled many hundreds of Italian
troops in various modern uniforms,
making striking contrast with the
medieval costumes of the Swiss papal
guard on duty at the bronze doors CT
the cathedral
The crowds which gathered before
the first Gordon of troops were impa-
tient as they stood dripping under the
persistent rain. There was a great
ciasping of umbrellas and a general
feeling of discomfort among the wait
ing sightseers, who included very many
women in most varied attires, compris-
ing foreigners of all nationalities and
Italians from all parts of the country
the uniformity of the crowd being
pleasantly broken by groups of sisters
in the different gowns of their orders,
Catholic students and picturesquely at
tired friars.
When finally the doors of st. Peters
were opened, an almost indescribable
struggle occurred, in which all present
forgot the rules of holiness and strove
hard with push of elbows and feet to
reach the interior of the sacred edifice,
while on all sides were heard cries of
fear and imprecations not very well
suited to the spot where a notable re-
igious ceremony was about to begin.
Once inside the cathedral, the ladies
who wore lace gowns found them to
be in a much mutilated condition, and
some of the women were carried away
in a fainting condition. The tribunes
were soon crowded to overlooking and
all the best standing places were taken.
A period of comparative calm succeeded
this great rush and the attention of the
people was attracted to the gilded throne
near the high altar and to the immense
pillars of the basilica, hung with red
silken draperies. Some of the. tribunes
on each side of the altar were filled with
men and women blazing with decora-
tons.
In a group of royal personages were
the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
and Norway. the Countess Mathilde of
TRAM, of the BOurbon-Naples family; the
grand duchess of SaXe-W eimar. Duke
Robert of Barma, the grand duchess Of
Mecklenburg, the Prince of Leichtenstein
and Prince MaXimilian of SaXOnV
In a special tribune was the popes fam
lily, the diplomatic corps and the members
of the Order of Malta all in full uniform.
Special interest was shown in the in
novation introduced by the uniforms of
the different detachments of the papal
guards. The Swiss guard wore red vel
vet knee breaches, red silk stockings,
black shoes with red rosettes, Furnished
steel cuirasses inlaid with gold and steel
collars in addition to large, white linen
collars, starched stiff. falling over their
the Swiss guard We're also inlaid with
gold and they wore steel helmets with
red ostrich plumes similar to the he'll
NETS of the Sixteenth century. The no.
BILE guard wore. their new uniforms of
bright red.
After an hour of very fatiguing waiting
a majestic procession began to appear 1t
was composed of the great dignitaries of
the church, the forty-five cardinals pres
ent gorgeous in their red robes. alone
making a most imposing, characteristic
and picturesque group.
At II o'clock precisely the great bell off
st. Peters rang out a signal which was
followed by the changing of the bells of
about 800 churches in Rome as they
sounded the announcement that the pom
tiff 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 aft
erwards inside st. Peters. silver trum-
pets blared out their message and the
pontiff appeared. The people held their
breath for moment and then all of the
pent up enthusiasm burst forth in ire
mendous roar of welcome.
From his elevation on the new sedia
gestatoria, carried by twelve men in cos
tunes of red brocade thanked by the
famous flabelli spreading feather
FANS, and surrounded by a white and
gold canopy, the pope appeared to be
more than human being. He seemed to
be a white spirit, this impression being
added by the pontiff's white robes and
white mitre, delicate features, face white
as alabaster and his thin hand moving
slowly in benediction.
As the sweet toned, we'll trained voices
of the Sistine choir sang ''Tu Els Petrus"
thousands of voices shouted Long live
Pope Leo" handkerchiefs fluttered in
the air, the banners of the various So
cietieS represented were waved and many
of those present, overcome with emotion,
sobbed loudly while others tainted from
excess of feeling or fatigue.
Meanwhile the pope proceeded slowly
on what seemed a carpet of heads, alb
sorbing the entire attention of the vast
throng.
When the pope arrived at the throne
the ceremony proceeded rapidly. Leaving
the sedia gestatoria the pontiff knelt and
prayed and then rose without assistance
donned the falda and the new triple
crown and the celebration of the mass
At the moment of the elevation of the
host a profound silence fell on the as
semblage; the guards presented arms
lyrnl WI We nnECihlp
for them to do so, and from the cupola
came the clear, thin sounds of silver
trumpets giving the idea of heavenly
music.
The pope then administered the papal
benediction and retired to room for re-
storatives, prepared on purpose every
time he goes to st. Peters. There, ad-
dressing DR.. Lapponni, his private ply
stefan, the pontiff said:
You see that after all your warnings,
the ceremony did me good. What touch
ing loyalty"
It was calculated that there were about
$4,000 people present. There were about
1000 Americans in the tribunes and the
body of the churches. The transatlantic
visitors present included Mgr. Kennedy,
rector of the American college at Rome
with eighty-five American students; Mgr
O'Connell, the new rector of the Catholic
university at Washington; the Very Rev
Rudolph Mayer general of the Carmelite
order: General and Mrs Clous and
Charles Bristed Astor of New York.
Alarming Rumors Regarding the
Pope's Health Practically Con-
firmed.
Rome, March DIR. Lapponi, the
pope's physician. this morning made a
last effort to induce his holiness to re-
nounce his reception of the cardinals
He demonstrated with him, saying:
Your holiness, my duty is to point
out that your health would greatly be
Io,y 1,o,,r