Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-08-12
POPE Plus X IS CROWNED
ST. PETERS WAS CROWDED WITH
10000 PEOPLE.

Cardinal Macchi Placed the Triple
Crown on the Head Of Venerable
Pontiff-Fifty.seven Years Since
Last ceremony-Pope Was Wildly
Cheered-He Blessed the Audience.
Rome, Aug. 10.-The ceremony of
the coronation Of Pope Plus X. took
place Sunday in the basilica of st.
Peters, in the presence Of the princes
of the church and with all the solem-
nifty and splendor associated with this
the most magnificent rite in the Ro-
man Catholic church. AS Cardinal
Macchi, the dean Of the cardinal dea-
cons, placed the triple crown on the
head of the venerable pontiff. the
throng of seventy thousand persons
gathered within the cathedral burst
into unrestrained acclamations, the
choir intoned a hymn of triumph and
the bells Of Rome rang out a joyful
peal.
1t is 81 years since the Romans and
Europe assisted at such function as
was held in st. Peters. The great
basilica, popularly supposed never to
have been quite full, was overfiowing
with humanity. The papal throne, ow-
ing to a bewildering mixture Of gold,
red and silver. was erected in front
Of the high altar. AS, contrary to
custom on these ceremonious Occas-
ions, there were no galleries, the bas-
ilica bore more of its normal aspect.
On the altar which was dressed in
white, stood the famous silver gold
candlesticks and magnificent crucifix.
All the available standing space with:
in the cathedral was divided into Sec
tions by wooden barriers, which, to a
certain extent, kept the vast crowd
in order.
When the doors were opened the in
rush was terrific, many who started
from the bottom of the steps outside
being lifted of their feet and carried
into the cathedral. It was a great
human torrent let loose, thousands Of
people rushing, crushing and sQueeZ-
ing amid screams, protests, gesticula-
tions and cries for help. But once in
the cathedral there was no escape and
the compactness Of the crowd proved
to be the safety Of those who were
caught in it. Women tainted in COM
paratively large numbers and even
men were overcome by heat, but no
serious accidents were reported. For
tunately there were very few children
present. After their entrance the peo-
pie had further long hours of waiting,
and 1t is computed that the majority
were on their feet altogether ten hours
before the ceremony began.
The procession was a long time in
getting under way, but afterwards as
it moved through the magnificent halls
and corridors of the vatican it recalled
former days when all was color and
picturesqueness with the palace. The
pope was the central figure in the long
procession. White robes and the mitre
were worn without an effort, making
a vivid contrast to those memorable
occasions on which Pope Leo XIII.
wore them, for Leo seemed always un-
able 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 x. were the
noble guards In new red uniforms and
cleaning helmets and carrying drawn
swords, while in front marched the
gorgeous bit Of color with
many handsome faces among them,
the cardinal bishops in their capes.
the cardinal priests wearing chasubles
and the cardinal deacons in the del.
matics.
Another figure which evoked MUIR
murs of admiration and craning Of
necks was the chaplain in his crimson
cape, proudly bearing the cushion on
which reposed the famous triple crown
so soon to rest on the head Of Piux X.
He was accompanied by the pontiflcal
jeweler and by a special guard com.
posed Of Swiss, and was followed by
the choir of the Sistine chapel. At
the right Of the throne stood Prince
Orsini, the assistant to the papal
throne, who withdrew his recent resig.
nation Of the post in order to partici-
pate in the function.
Besides the pope were the major.
domo, Mgr. Caraino; the master OF
the chamber, Mgr. Bisleti; the master
Of ceremonies, Mgr. Riggi. and DR..
Lapponi. The pontiff was very pale.
but composed. The low ceiling sent
back an exquisite echo of the "Tu
Es Petrus," sung by the Sistine choir,
whose voices were heard outside in the
piazza of st. Peters.
Cardinal Rampolla, advancing with
dignity, knelt at the foot Of the pope.
He then said:
T offer an act Of obedience to your
holiness and wish you prosperous
and glorious pontificate."
The cardinal recalled that the bodies
of the first pope and of st. Paul rested
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 visibly touched. and. an
swenng in trembling voice. warmly
thanked the cardinals for their well