Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-10
CRONN|NG0F The POPE
Plus X. Invested With the
Triple Tiara at st. Peters
In Rome
MEMORABLE DAY FOR CATHOLICS
Vast Crowds Witness the Gorgeous and
Impressive Rites-Many Years Since
the Church of ST. Peters Has Been
the Scene of Similar Function -
General News.

| Rome, Aug 10.--The ceremony Of ths
coronation of Pope Plus X took place
Sunday in the basilica of st. Peters
in the presence of the princes and high
dignitaries of the church, diplomats
and Roman mobiles. and with all the
solemnity and splendor associated with
this, the most magnificent rite in the
Roman Catholic church
AS Cardinal Macchi, the dean of the
cardinal deacons, placed the triple
crown on the head of the venerable
pontiff, the throng of 10000 persons
gathered within the cathedral burst
into unrestrained acclamations. the
choir intoned hymn of triumph and
peal.
1t is fifty-seven years since the Ro-
mans and Europe assisted in such a
function as was held in ST. Peters
Sunday. The great basilica, popularity
supposed never TO have been quite full,
4
papal throne, a bewildering mixture
of gold. red and silver was erected
in front of the high altar. AS contrary
to custom on these ceremonious oc-
| casions, there Were no galleries. the
basilica bore merely normal aspect.
Or the altar, which was dressed in
white, stood the famous silver gilt
candlesticks and magnificent cruci-
| fix. All the available standing space
within the cathedral was divided into
sections by wooden barriers, which
| to a certain extent kept the vast crowd
| in order.
| In the early hours after sun rise a
thick fog hung over Rome, but as the
morning Wore on the fog disappeared
and the sun shone with all its south
ern intensity, until it became unbear-
ably hot, and the stones, columns ana
statues seemed to radiate the heat on
the thousands waiting to enter the
church. AT 6 a m. the ringing of
bells announced the imminent opening
OF the doors, and a commotion at once
began among the crowd. The polio
and Italian soldiers had a difficult
task to maintain order as the crush
ing and fatigue had begun to tell on
the patience of the people.
When the doors were opened the in
rush was terrific, many who started
from the bottom of the steps outside
being lifted off their feet and carried
into the cathedral. 1t was great hui
man torrent let loose thousands Of
people rushing, crushing and squeez-
ing amid screams, protests gesticula-
tons and cries for help. But once in
the whirlpool there was no escape and
the compactness of the crowd proved
to be the safety Of those caught in it.
Women tainted in comparatively large
numbers, and even men were overcome
by the heat, but no serious accidents
Were reported Fortunately, there were
very few children present. After their
entrance the people had further long
hours Of waiting, and it is computed
that the majority were on their feet ten
hours, five before the ceremony and
another five hours while 1t lasted
The procession was a long time in
getting under way, but afterwards, as
1t moved thru the magnificent halls
and corridors of the vatican, it recalled
former days when all was color and
picturesqueness within the palace.
The central figure in the long co.,
tege was Plus X, borne in the sedia
gestatoria. His heavy white robes and
the red and gold mitre were worn
without an effort, making vivid con-
trast to those memorable occasions on
which Pope Leo XIII wore them, for
Leo seemed always unable to sup
port their weight. Over the popes head
a canopy was held by eight men, while
the historic ostrich fans gave hint
of the barbaric feature to western
eyes.
In front marched the cardinals, q
gorgeous bit of color, with many hand
some faces among them, the cardinal
bishops in their capes. the cardinal.
priests wearing chasubes, and the
cardinal-deacons in their dalmatics.
Another feature which evoked MUIR
murs of admiration and craning of
necks, was the chaplain in his crimson
cape, bearing the cushion on which
reposed the famous triple crown, so
soon to rest on the head of Plus x.
He was accompanied by the pontifical
jeweler and by a special guard. COM
posed of Swiss, and was followed by
the choir of the Sistine chapel, which
sang as it went along.
Tho Sistne Chapel.
Before leaving the vatican the pope
went to the Sistine chapel to worship
before the sacrament exposed there,
thence passing thru the Salia Ragia
and the Constantine staircase into the
portico Of the basilica He there seated
himself on a throne erected directly
before the holy door, and with seats
around for members of the sacred COL
lege, the chapters of ST. Peters and
the papal court. At the right of the
throne stood Prince Orsni, the assis-
tant to the papal throne, who withdrew
his recent resignation of the post in
order to participate at the ceremon-
les.
The pontiff was exceedingly pale but
composed. The low ceiling sent back
an exquisite echo of the "Tu es Petrus,"
sang by the Sstine choir, whose voices
We're heard outside in the piazza of ST.
Peters. Cardinal Rampola advanced
with dignity, knelt and kissed the foot
Of the pontiff. He then presented in
firm voice the wishes and greetings
of the chapter of st. Peters. which he
said offer an act of obedience to your
holiness, and wish you n prosperous
and glorious pontificate."
The cardinal recalled that the bodies
of the first pope and that of St Paul
rest in the basilica, which fact, he said,
was of good augury for the work of
the new head of the Catholic church.
The pontiff was visiby touched and
answering in a trembling voice, warmly