The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-21
Comments on His Prison Where He Has Remained
 for 25 Years
JUBILEE OF PONTEFICATE
 CELEBRATED GLORIOUSLY
Hall of Qualification Was Beautifully Hung With Antique Brocades and illuminated By Thousands of
 Electric Lights and Candles

Rome, February 2O.-"It seems impos- slble that 1t is twenty-five years since I have been there' was Pope Leo's ex- clamation as he looked from a window of his experiments this morning into ths sunlit piazza of St. Peters. This was the Pontiff's only reference to his long term of self-imposed Imprisonment in the Vatican during which he has never gone beyond the palace grounds of St. Peters, which is considered to be part of the Vatican. What glorious morning for the jubilee of my pontificate." the Pope added as he proceeded with evident pleasure to peruse the almos. innumera- ble telegrams. letters and addresses of congratulation which have reached the Vatican from all parts of the world.
 The hall of beatlfcation, above the por- tico of St. Peters, where the Pontiff held his jubilee reception presented a bril- liant scene. It was beautifully hung with antique broeades and illuminated by thousands of electric lights and wax candles. The boxes lining the long. mar row hall were filled to their capacity with members of the Roman arstoeraey diplomats. women with black veils. men in evening dress. Monks and Sisters in varying garb. Here and there groups of Papal guards in bright uniforms lent color to the whole. Notable among the diplomats was Count Almodovor, head of the special mission sent to represent the King of Spain at the jubilee.
 Struggle to Get In Hall. The struggle to get in the hall was terrific. People were swept off their feet and women were overce but no one was really injured. T babel of tongues raised in protest testined to the world wide character of the gathering Among the Americans present were 1 Bishops Maurice Burke of St. Joseph. 1 Mo. and Edward Dunne of Dallas, Tex. 1 Fathers s. P. Mcdonnell and Hugh 1 OGara McShane of Chicago, Thomas o'Gara of Wilmington ILL, Mrs. and Miss Choate and K. U. Johnson.
 There was long and tedious wait be- fore the ceremony commenced and the audience was growing restless when sud- denly a great roar of Long live Leo" and Long live the Pope King" announc- ed the arrival of the pontif His holi- ness was borne in the sedia 1estatoria on the shoulders of eight men habied in red brocade. The pope himself wore gorgeous robes and had the triple crown on his head. He bestowed his benedction slsnt and left as he passed through the cheer ing concourse, whose enthusiasm was so great and whose desire to touch the hem of the popes gown was so intense that the presence of the guards seemed really necessary for his protection.
 In a procession surrounded by such a brilliant escort of prelates, aristocracy and guards Pope Leo always appears at his best. His feebleness and bent form are hidden and the public sees only the venerable patriarch.
 The pope was accompanied by Cardi- nas Mocenni. Parraud Ferrari, Satoli. Respigh. Boschi and Macchian and es- corted by the noble guards in their red uniforms, which they had not worn since the fall of the temporal power.
 Feather Fans Cause Interest.
 The celebrated feather fans on both sides of the sedia gestatoria excited great interest among the Americans pres ent as it was said they were gift from Mrs. Joseph Drexel, who has taken the old ones home and given them to the museum of the University of Pennsyl- vania On the right of the pontihcal throne assembled the Pecci family, to which the pope belongs, and on the left stood Count Almodoyar. When the rontiff ascended the throne he seemed to be in a kind of glorifed atmosphere. att
 
 red draperles before the windows. Cardi- nal Respighi, vicar of Rome, read the Latin address expressing loyalty and de- yotion and offered the $25,00O gold tiara, the jubilee present of the Catholic world.
 Cardinal Ferrari, archbishop in Milan, in behalf of a pilgrimage from Lom- bardy, presented an address of felicita- tion to the pope, and gold silver and bronze commemorative medals, on the obverse of which was the head of Leo XIII and on the reverse the figure of Christ surrounded by the apostles in the act of conferring on St. Peter the su- preme pontin power. The pope thanked the Lombardy pilgrims and gave them his benediction.
 Cardinal Boschi read a third address and presented to his holiness the symbolic keys. one of gold and the other of silver. accompanied by an offering of s40,000 in gold coins. The Roman committee for the jubilee feats presented parchment volume with the signatures of all who had contributed to the offerings with an- other s40OOO to be devoted to the restora- ton of the Basiica of St. John Lateran, which is under the care of Cardinal Sa- tolli Other committees followed with addresses and offerings. The pope ex- pressed his qualification and admiration at the artistic designs and workmanship of the various offerings and then charged Monsignor Bislettt. his master of the chamber to read a Latin speech address ed to My Venerable Brothers and Below ed Children"
 Pope Expresses Satisfaction.
 Tn this address His Holiness expressed satisfaction at the manifest attention he is the object of on the part of the Catholic world For the second time in a century. continued the pope, Christ had wished to glorify his vicar on earth by allowing him to reach the years of St. Peter. The address ended by saying that the pontiff was happy to celebrate his jubilee amidst the homage and veneration of the Catholic universe. After bestow- ing the apostolic blessing the pope re- turned to his apartments amid the en- thusisstic plaudits of the multitude. He completed the functions of the jubilee without undue fatigue. On returning to his apartments he exclaimed That is