The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-06
Pilgrims Obtain Rare Distinction
Through the Efforts of Car
dinal Gibbons.
PoNTIFF ACCEPTS THEIR GIFT.
Bestows a Special Blessing Gil
Bisnop Burke for the Negroes
and Commends Himself to
the Prayers of Visitors.


is dead. long live the King" which has
been repeated through all the long age
, upon a change of sovcregns was the domi
| nant note to-day at the Vatican among
| those gathered there. not to acknowledge an
| earthly sovereign, but to accept withou
! reserve Pope Plus Y as their spiritual king
Not only had America enjoyed the honol
| Of first announcing, through the Associated
| Press. the accession of the present Pontif
! to the chair of st. Peter but to-day Ameri.
I cans enjoyed the far greater privilege and
| honor of being the first among those tc
| convey to his Holiness the homage of the
| nations.
| The American pilgrimage, conducted by
| John ]. McGrane Of New York and Father
] Lynch Of Niagara University Of Buffalo. n.
Y, which left the United States for its
pious journey TO Rome TO receive the bless
Ing of Leo XIII. arrived while the conclave
was sitting.
Its members fingered until the never-to-
be-forgotten moment yesterday, when the
election of the new Pope was announced.
and then decided reluctantly to leave to-
day.
But it was with tears of disappointment
at not having been able to see the holy
father tina. the pilgrims packed and
strapped their luggage and sent. it to the
station.
DESIRE GRANTED.
While the desolate band were eating a
hurried luncheon preparatory to. leaving,
Ny. McCirane. with radiant face. burst in
waving &, paper and almost dancing in his
excitement
You shall him; you shall see him.
he cried. ''Orr Cardinal has arranged it
CARDINAL Gibbons had been asked yester-
mon. for ha inn n
the Americans. and mad promised to do his
best. at the same time explaining how un-
day after his election. to receive foreign
pilgrimage, wren there were scores OF high
dignitaries who had not yet been admitted.
including even the diplomatic body.
Nevertheless. he used his influence with
the happiest result and secured the consent
Of the Pope to receive his feiiow-country-
back from the station. in orGer that they
might appear in proper apparel. and at 5:i5
this afternoon all We're at the bronze doors
They were met by Mgr. Kennedy. rector
OF the American College. whose presence
was quite sufficient to make the Swiss
Guard step back present arms and give en-
trance to ALL
They trooped up the high stairway. 100
strong. and on through the corridors. pend
ing their heads to pass through the oren-
ings in the walls which had been erected
for the conclave. Bricks were still lying
about on the tiagstones.
Through the beautiful loggia of Raphael
they passed to the unique Hall of Inscrip-
tons, where halt was called.
THE POPE APPEARS.
After considerable wait there was a
murmured Hush, hush,'' and two Swiss
Guards entered from corridor. Before
the pilgrims could quite realize 1t, the Pope
Plus X is little taller than Cardinal
Gibbons. giving. however, the impression of
being a much larger man. as he is inclined
to stoutness. He has abundant gray hair
with no sign of badness. dark. clear eyes,
h han s.; e features h and a; magnificent voice
grace. due to his musical Venetian accent.
His whole person emanated great benignity
and cordiality.
He walked slowly, but with the firmness
of young mar. down the long kneeling
!ine. accompanied by Cardinal Gibbons and
pilgrims as he passed his hand to be kissed.
He spoke few words to almost every one.
Plus was arrayed completely in white.
sparkled from the huge emerald on his
finger. Cardinal Gibbons was on his right
in red robes and Mgr. Kennedy, on his left
Guards with halberds and followed by /
members of the Noble Guard.
The moving group was set OF by the
kneeling women. who were all In black,
their womanliness made more womanly by
the black lace wells which hung from their
hair. The men wore dress suits and the
Pope Plus Y appeared to be very much
interested when Father Lynch presented to
him a box containing a white zuchetto. gay
ing that I'VE would be extremely gratified
If your Holiness would accept this gift in
exchange for the one you wear"
Piled
Thereupon Mgr. Bisleti lifted the Zuchetto
which the Pope wore from his head and
replaced it with the one which had been
presented by Father Lynch. Mr.. McGrane
handed to Plus Y the offerings which the
pilgrims had hastily put together after
luncheon to-day.
of the Lante family OF Philadelphia, the
Reverend John E. Burke, pastor of the
Church of St. Benedict. the Moor OF New
York. and Father Wall. who expressly rep
Issented Archbishop Farley. and to the
ington.
TO Father Burke he gave a special bene-
dction for the negroes
Occasionally. as the Pope passed along, he
laid his hand upon the head of one Of the
pilgrims. When Plus reached the persons |
who waved two flags yesterday at Sc. |
Peters. who were carrying them to-day. ne |
exclaimed: 1
fOrty-four stars EN-"
When he reached the last person in the |
line he turned. and while all the pilgrims |
knelt. he gafa the apostolic blessing, ending |
II recommend myself to your pious pray
ers."
1t was moment of intense emotion. and
was an eye dry.
Cardinal Gibbons upon leaving the Vati- |
can, SAID that he bad been delighted to |
present the American pilgrimage to the new |
Pope under such happy circumstances.
NcMIoc III oolro- ,,ae