The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-10
Ceremony Held in st. Peters
Was Solemn and Splendid.
10000 PEOPLE THERE.
Building Rang With Applause,
Although Forbidden.
Many Women tainted in the
Crush.

coronation of Pope Plus X took place
Sunday in the basilica of ST. Peters in
the presence of the princes and high dig
nitaries of the church, diplomats and
Roman mobiles, 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 pom
tiff, the throng of 10000 persons gather
ed within the cathedral burst into I'M
restrained acclamations, the choir in
toned hymn of triumph and the bells
of Rome rang out joyful peal
1t is fifty-seven years since the Ro-
mans and Europe assisted at such
function as was held in St Peters yes
terday. The great basilica, popularity
supposed never to have been quite full,
was overlooked with humanity. The
papal throne, bowling to a yielding mix
ture of gold, red and silver, was erected
IN front of the high altar AS, contrary
to custom, on these ceremonious occa-
sions there were no galleries, the basil
lea bore more of its normal aspect On
the altar, which was dressed in white,
stood the famous silver gilt candle
sticks and a magnificent crucifix All
the available standing space within the
cathedral was divided into sections by
wooden barriers, which to a certain ex-
tent. kept the vast crowd in order.
In the early hours after sunrise a
thlck fog hung over Rome and one bank
OF the T1ber could not be seen from the
other, while from the st. Angelo bridge
one seemed to look into a fathomless
abyss instead of the river The effect
was especially magnificent on entering
n a mi 0f
chael Angeles great dome disappeared
completely from view, while at others
1t appeared through the flowing golden
mist AS the morning wore on the fog
dispersed and the sun shone with all its
southern intensity until it became un-
bearably hot. The stones, columns and
statues seemed to radiate with the heat
on the thousands waiting to enter the
church At O'Clock the ringing of bells
announced the imminent opening of the
doors. A cOnmotion at once began
among the crowd. But ten minutes had
TO elapse before the doors were opened,
ana each seemed century to the wait
ing crowd which for hours had been
standing before the closed portals The
police and Italian soldiers had a difficult
task to maintain order. as the crushing
ana tatlgue had begun to, tell upon 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
NSAO AAAbCu Oll llltlI l6Sl ana carried into
the cathedral 1t was a great human
current let loose, thousands of people
rushing, crushing and squeezing amid
screams, protests, gesticulation and cries
Tor 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 heat, but no SER
iouS accidents were reported Fortu-
rately there were no children present
After their entrance the people had fur
! ther long hours of waiting, and it is
computed the majority were on their
feet altogether ten hours five before the
ceremony and another five hours while
it lasted.
Those who had received special invi-
tations, including the high eccIesiastics
who were not participating in the pro-
cession, the diplomats and the Roman
aristocracy, had a reserved entrance
through the sacristy of St Peters
Prince Massimo arrived, accompanied
by his daughter-in-laW, Princess Rea-
trice the daughter of Don Carlos. and
they were given prominent seats. Duke
Robert of Parma was the only other
member of a royal family to attend.
Among the aristocracy there was a
great mixture of those Roman mobiles
who remain faithful to the papacy and
those adhering to the Quirinal. Sir
Thomas Esmonde, representing the Irish
parliamentary party, was received by
Two klliSHlS OF ln6 cape ana SWORD. one
F. McNutt, an American, and conducted
to the diplomatic Enclosure.
Inside the vatican palace there was
no less movement and hustle the
papal procession, composed of about
five hundred persons, all of whom had
gathered early in the apostolic palace
was formed. The pope seemed to be the
only tranquil one among the multitude.
He rose unusually early and took stroll
in the vatican garden. Then he allowed
/ himself fn no dressed nv the cardinals
He evidenced no nervousness and even
said jOkingly to the master of cere-
monies, who the other day suggested
that he should use the plural form in
speaking of himself: We feel very well
this morning. but we may be different
on returning from our coronation"
Just before entering the Sedia Costa
toria be asked for his spectacles and
when the master of ceremonies discreet
! ly limited that his holiness would look
better without them, he said: q have
no desire to appear what | am not" and
he wore them during the entire cere-
mony.
The procession was long time in get
ting under way, but afterwards. as it
moved through the magnificent halls
and corridors of the vatican it recalled
the days when all was color and pic
| turesoueness within the palace. The
central figure in the long procession
wore his robes and the mitre without an
effort, making a vivid contrast to those
mernora BILE occasions on which Pope
Leo XIII wore them, for Leo seem ed
always unable to support their weight.
Over the pontiff's head a canopy was
held by eight men, while the historic
ostrich feather fans with peacock tips
gave a touch of barbaric splendor to
western eyes.
Surrounding Pope Plus were the noble
guard in new red uniforms and gleam-
| ing helmets and carrying drawn swords,
while in front marched the cardinals.
a gorgeous bit of color with many
! handsome faces among them, the car
dina1s' bishops in their capes. the car
ldinaI-priests, wearing chasubles and
the cardinaI-deacons in their delmatics.
| Another figure which evoked murmurs
lof admiration and craning of necks was
the chaplain in his crimson cape. proud