Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-03-06
Pope Celebrates Twenty-Fifth Ami
versary Of Coronation.
THE CEREMONIES ARE MAGNIFICENT.
Estimated That $4,000 Persons Wit
ness Jubilee Mass in st. Peters
"a at Rome-PontiH Stands
Ordeal Well.

especially noticeable at the large ho-
tells, which were illuminated as though
for ball.
One Thousand Americana Present.
1t was calculated that there were
about $4,000 people present. There
were about 1000 Americans in the
tribunes and the body of the church.
The immense crowds which gathered
before the first Gordon of troops were
impatient as they stood dripping I'M
der the persistent rain. When, finally,
the doors of St. Peters were opened
an almost indescribable struggle oc-
Cured.
A period of comparative calm sue
ceeded this great rush and the atten-
ton 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.
After an hour of very fatiguing wait
ing majestic procession began to APP
pear. 1t was composed of the great
dignitaries of the church, the As car
dinals present, gorgeous in their red
robes, alone making most imposing,
characteristic and picturesque group.
Bells Announce Approach of Pope.
At II o'clock precisely the great bell
of St. Peters rang out a 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 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 appeared.
The people held their breath for
moment and then all the pent-up en-
thusiasm burst forth in tremendous
roar of welcome.
Appearance of the Pope.
From his elevation on the new sedia
gestatoria, carried by 10 men in cos
tunes of. red brocade, fanked by the,
famous fabelli (spreading feather
fans) and surmounted by white and
gold canopy, the pope appeared to be
more than human being. He seemed
to be white spirit, this impression be-
ing added to by the pontiff's white
robes and white mitre, delicate fea-
lures, face white as alabaster and his
thin hand moving slowly in benedic-
ton.
AS the sweet toned, we'll trained
voices of the Sistine choir sang "Tu es
Petrus," thousands of voices shouted
"Long live Pope Leo" handkerchiefs
futtered in the air, the banners Of the
various societies represented were
waved, and many of those present,
overcome with emotion, sobbed loudly
feeling or fatigue.
Meanwhile the pope proceeded slow
~ on what seemed carpet of heads,
absorbing the entire attention of the
vast throng.
Celebration of Mass.
When the pope arrived at the throne,
the ceremony proceeded rapidly.
Leaving the sedia gestatoria, the pom
tiff knelt and prayed, and then rose
without assistance, donned the falda
and the new triple crown, and the cele-
bration of the mass began.
At the moment of the elevation of
the Host a profound silence fell on the
assemblage, the guards presented
arms, the people knelt, where it was
possible for them to do so, and from
the cupola came the clear, thin sounds
of silver trumpets, giving the idea of
heavenly music.
Touched by Evidence of Loyalty.
The pope then administered the
papal benediction and retired to
room for restoratives, prepared on
purpose every time he goes to st. Pc
ter's. There, addressing DR.. Lapponi,
his private physician, the pontif said:
'tYou see, that after all your warn
ings, the ceremony did me good. What
touching loyalty"
Return to the Vatican.
When the pope returned to theyati-
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 salut-
ed him frantically. When the pontiff
had departed the people Immediately
left St. Peters, but as it was still rain
ing heavily there was much difficulty
and confusion in obtaining carriages.
However, in three quarters of an hour
the piazza was deserted.
When the pope returned to his apart
ments he wished to discuss the cere-
mony and give his impressions of it,
but his physician insisted on complete
quiet, on which the poRtiff exclaimed:
1.-THE demonstration to-day has been
so affecting. It surpassed all my ex-
pectations. am completely satisfied.
There was no note of discord."
Rome Illuminated.
Tuesday night all the sacred edifices
in Rome, monasteries, converts, semi
naries and also many private houses
were illuminated in commemoration of
the event, the Trastevere quarter and
the Leonine city especially presenting
a blaze Of light, while the general eff
feet was heightened by the burning
OF Bengal fires throughout the city.
Pope Leo, who supported admirably
the fatigue and excitement of the days
ceremony, after having retired rose
again from his couch and going to the
window of his bedroom gazed for a
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