Evening star., 1903-08-04
nd the attendants quickly drew up the

banner.
Those below instantaneously made a rush
to 60 into st. Peters, and a mad scramble
ensued for the basilica. Thousands dashed
toward the four huge doors, and in spite of
their width desperate jam occurred. In
which the women narrowly escaped injury.
Like roaring wave the people swept into
st. Peters, still cheering. still waving hats.
Within. a pandemonium reigned. Those al
ready standing in a good position to see
the gallery window, where Pfux x was
expected to appear, were
hurled back to the further end of the nave
by the irresistible impact of tn, , seeking
entrance. Pope Plus and "Sarto" were
the cries which could be family heard
above the din that was raging from end to
end Of the historic cathedral.
The attendants at the gallery window
who had hung out the same banner as was
previously displayed from the window IN
front now hastily drew 1t up. With every
sign Of excitement they motioned to the
crowd to go back to the steps of st.
Peters A great cry arose Those who
few moments ago were fighting their way
into the cathedral now struggled with re-
doubled energy to get out.
1t was the climax Of the excitement-the
new poIe was going to bless the world from
the outside of the basilica, which had not
been done since the days when the Vatican
ruled Rome. 1t was revolution which
each seemed to think had been brought
about by Divine favor and terrific ef-
fort was made to get out in time. With ex-
traordinary rapidity the basilica was almost
deserted. The attendants bung the banner
outside. and as all the thousands waiting
in the piazza saw it and realized what was
intended "a great shout Of approval arose.
Then came a sudden revulsion. AS quick
ly as the banner had been let down 1t was
drawn up. The plans had been again
changed. The last rush that Immediately
followed for the doors of st. Peters was
almost indescribable. How SO many people
entered the basilica in so short a time with
out injury will always remain a mystery.
inside the pandemGnlum increased. A
wheat pit in its widest moments could not
compare with the stately nave of ST.
Peters at this moment.
At the gallery window stood Cardinal
Matthew. Monsignor Merry del Val and
several other cardinals. The center place
was vacant Amongst the seething mass
below. which never ceased waving hats,
two members of the American pilgrimage,
Father Lynch of Niagara University and
Father MCGOWAN of New York. held alott
American flags
These swayed brightly around the nave
as the bearers were alternately borne for
ward and backward by the ebb and flow
Of the throng.
In few moments terrific cheers burst
from every throat. There, with the sun
streaming in from the window behind was
the new pope.
New Pope's First Blessing.
While Prince Chigi, the master of the
was drawing up the official act
Of the election and acceptance of the new
ly elected pope, the latter. surrounded by
his friends. disappeared into small room
near the altar. where he donned the white
robes of his office. Plus x was assisted by
his conclavist. who first knelt and kissed
his masters hand and thus received the
first apostolic blessing given by Plus x.
The new pope was attired all in white
with the exception of red shoes, which was
quite regular. but he did not stop to re-
move the red cardinals stockings for the
white papal ones, and these showed he
raised his gown to move forward. When
he was quite robed. the secretary of the
conclave. Monsignor Merry del Val. kneel-
ing, offered him the papal white cap. amidst
breathless silence. He did not follow the
precedent created by Pope Leo. who de-
clined to give his red cap to the master of
ceremonies as a sign that he would soon
be created a cardinal. but with a slight
smile Sarto took the white cap. placed it
calmly on his head, and dropped the red
one lightly on the head of MonsignOr Merry
del Val amidst murmur OF approval. This
is taken as a certain indication that the
happy recipient is soon to be raised to the
cardinalate.
AS the new pontifT stepped from behind
the altar. the only touch of color about him
being his red and gold shoes. he really
seemed the embodiment of his holy office.
His face pale and clearly sOftened by
emotion. He paused moment, as he came
before the expectant cardinals, then seated
himself on the throne, with a hurried move
ment, as though he had suddenly grown
weak. His back was to the altar and he
was enthroned to receive the so-called
first obedience of the cardinals. They
came forward, one by one. some calm and
smiling, others sober and non-committal,
while still others found considerable diff
Guilty, even at this hour, in concealing their
too obvious disappointment.
Kissed Hand and Foot.
All kissed his hand and foot. while he
saluted each on the cheek with the kiss OF
peace. Then all broke into the te duem
with such effect that scarcely eye was
dry.
Plus X then rose. and in a voice at first
tremulous, but gradually becoming fun and
firm, administered the papal blessing to all
of the members of the Sacred College. Ii
was received with bowed and uncovered
heads.
The fisherman's ring. not yet having
been found. a new one designed by Gamer
lengo Oreglia. was placed the pontiff's
finger as symbol Of renewed power and
evidence that the Catholic church has once
more sovereign head
Sarto bore himself with becoming dig
nifty and gave no outward sign Of exuIta-
ton in this the supreme moment of his
lite.
In the meanwhile masons and carpenters
had been busy breaking down doors so
al