The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-14

Rome, Aug. 9.-The ceremony Of the
coronation of Pope Plus Y took place
today in the basilica Of ST. Peters in
the presence of the princes and high
dignitaries of the church.. diplomats
and Roman mobiles. and with all the
sOIemnity and SplendOr associated with
his. the most magnificent rite in the
Roman Catholic church. AS Cardinal
Macchi, the dear of the cardinal dea-
cons placed the triple crown on the
head of the venerable pOntiff. the
throng of 10000 persons gathered with
in the cathedral burst into unreStrained
acclamatiOnS, the choir into a hymn OF
triumph and the bells of Rome rang
out a joyful peal.
1t is 81 years since the Romans an3
Europe assisted at such a function III
st. Peters. The great baSilica, pOpu-
larry supposed never to have been quite
full. was overlooking with humanity.
The papal throne. a bewildering mix
ture of gold. red and silver. was erected
in front of the high altar. AS. con-
trary to custom on these ceremOniOuS
occasions. there were no galleries.. the
b1aSilica bore more of its normal aspect.
Gin the altar. which was dressed in
white. stood the famous silver gilt can
dlleStickS and q magnificent CruclflX.
ALL the available standing space within
the cathedral was divided into sections
byf wooden barriers. which to a certain
extent kept the vast crowd in rder.
AZ thick fog o%verhung Rome in the
early hours, but the sun came out Later
andi it was unbearably hot. At ga. m.
the ringing of bells the i'm
minfnt opening of the church doors
and a at once began among
the crowd. But 10 minutes had to
h1f@-@ - 1900 ~~I
each seemed a century to the waiting
crowd, which for hours had been stand
ing before the closed portals. Tae pal
ace and t1falian soldiers had a difficult
task to mdAltain order
Inside the vatican palace there was
less movemfnt and hustle as the papal
processionApmpoSed of about 500 per
son. all of Raom had gathered early in
the apostolic palace. was formed. The
pope seemed to be the only tranquil
one among them all. He arose IN
usually early aad took u stroll in the
vatican garden. Then he allowed him
self to De dressed by the cardinals. He
evinced no nervousness INC even said
jOkingly to the master of ceremonies,
who n other day suggested that he
should use the plural form in speaking
of himself. We feel very we'll this
morning. but We may be different on
returning from our coronation
Just before entering the sedia gesta-
tOria he asked for his s~pectacles and
when the master of ceremonies sugges-
ted that his holiness would look bet
ter without them. he said: Il have no
desire to appea what l am not" III
in fact he wore them during the entire
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
of the extremely fatiguingg ceremony.
. The whole sacred college gathered
about the pope singing. while the choir
burst forth in song. Cardinal Macchi
former days when all was color and
picturesquenesS within the palace.
The central figure in the long pro-
cession was u X. borne in the sedia
gestatoria. His heavy White robes and
the red and gold mitre were wor
without an effort. making a vivid con-
trast to those memorable occasions on
Which Pope Leo XIII wore them for
Lex seemed always unable to support
their weight. Over the pontiff's head
q canopy was held by eight men lille
the historic feather fans of peacock
tips gave much of barbara splendor to
western eyes.
Surrounding Pope Plus were the
Noble Guard in red uniforms and carry
ing drawn swords while in front
marched the cardinals. a gorgeous bit
of color. Another figure which evoked
murmurs of admiration and craning OF
necks was the chaplain IN his crimson
cape. proudly bearing the cushion on
which was the famous triple crown SO
soon to rest on the head Plus ". He
was accompanied by the DontifiCial
jeweler and by a special guard com
posed Of Swiss and was followed by the
choir of the Sistine chapel in white
which sang as it went along.
Before leaving the vatican the pope
went to the Sistine chapel to worship
before the ram exposed therein
and later in the portiCO of the basilica
seated himself on a throne erected
directly before the holy dOOr and witt
seats around for the members of tn,
sacred college. the chapter OF st
Peters and the ~0~9l court. To th'
right of the throne StoOd Prince Orsini
ths assistant 10 the papal throne. VIII,
withdrew his resignation OF the posi-
ton in order to participate at the func
ton
The ponuff was exceedingly pale bu
composed. The low ceiling sent bacl
and exquisite echo of the Teus PetruS
sang by the Sistine choir. who's voice
were heard outside in the plaza of s.
Peters.
Cardinal Rampolla advanced wit
dignity. knelt and kissed the o o @
the pontiff. He then presented in
nrm voice the wishes and greetings c
the chapter of st. Peters. which h
said was ar act of obedience to YOU
holiness and wish you a prosperou
and glorious pOntifcate."
The cardinal recalled h the bodie
of the first pope and of ST. Pal
rest in the basilica- which fact. he saiC
was of good ugury for the work {
the new head of the Catholic churcl
The pontiff was visibly affected an
returning thanks said: Good wfshe
are extremely precious"
The procession then reformed ar