The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-08-14

NOO~
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 joyful
peal.
1t is 81 years since the Romans and
Europe assisted at such function as
was held in st. Peters. The great
basilica, popularity supposed never to
have been quite full, was overlooking
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-
iica bore more of it's normal aspect.
On the altar which was dressed in
white, stood the famous silver gold
candlesticks and magnificent crucihx
All the available standing space with
in the cathedral was divided into sec
lions by wooden barriers, which, to a
certain extent, kept the vast crowd
in order.
When the doors were opened the in
rIA OF tod
from the bottom of the steps outside
being lifted off their feet and carried
into the cathedral. 1t 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 it 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
cardinals, 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
mates.
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 pontifica
jeweler and by a special guard com
posed of Swiss, and was followed by
the choir of the Sistine chapel Al
the right of the throne stood Prince
Orsini, the assistant to the papa
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 o
the chamber, Mgr Bsleti; the maste
of ceremonies, Mgr. Riggi, and DIT
Lapponi. The pOntiff was very pale
but composed. The low ceiling sen
back an exquisite echo of the "Tr
Els Petrus," sung by the Sistine choir
whose voices were heard outside in tn
piazza of st. Peters.
Cardinal Rampolla, advancing wit
dignity. knelt at the foot of the pope
He then said:
81 offer an act of obedience to you
holiness and wish you prosperOu
and glorious pontificate."