The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-08-13
POPE Plus X
CROWNED
Ceremony Takes Place in Pres.
ence of 10000 People.
SERVICES LASTED FIVE HOURS

When Triple Crown Was Placed on
PontiHs Head Audience Burst Into
Applause and Bells Of Rome Rang
Out joyful Peal--Pope Plus Was
Overcome and Had Scarcely
Strength to lmpari Apostolic senc'
dotion.
Rome. Aug. 9-The ceremony OF
the coronation OF Pope pils y. took
place IN the nnsiiicn OF s. Peter 8 In
the presence oi the princes ana high
disniiaries of the church. diplomats
and Roman mobiles. and with all the
solomniy and splcndor associate"
with this. the most magnificent rite
IA the K0msA Catholic church.
AS Cardinal Maechi. the dean OF the
prlinall,acons. placed the triple
crown ON the head OF the venerable
ponua. the throus OF 10000 persons
gathered within the cathedral burst
into mrosraiuod acclamations the
choir intoncl hymn OF triumph ana
the bells of Rome rang out joyful
peal.
AtGa. M. the ringing Of bells an
bounced the imminent opening oil the
loors. and commotiOn at once began
aons the crowd. When the doors
were opened the thrush was terrible
many VINO started from the bottom Of
the steps outside were lifted on their
feet and carried into the cathedral
II was a great human torrent let loose,
thousands of people rushing. crushing
and sqeczing amid screams, protests,
gestculatlon and cries for help.
But once in the whirlpool. there was
no escape. and the compactness OF the
crowd proved To be the safety Of those
caught in 10. Women tainted in com
paratiycly large number. and even mel
were overcome by the heat. but no
serious accidents were reported. For
tunateiy there were very few children
present. After their entrance the peo-
pie had further long hours of waiting
and il is computed that the majority
were on their feet altogether 10 hours.
fye before the ceremony and another
five hours while It lasted.
Inside the Vatican palace there was
20 less movement ana hustle as the
panal procession. composed Of about
SEQ persons. was formed. The pope
seemed to be the only tranquil one
amongst them all lie rose unusually
early and took a stroll in the Vatican
garden. lie evinccd no nervousness.
and even said jokingly to the master
Of ceremonies, who the other day sug-
costed that De- should use the plural
form I'm speaking of himself. We feel
very well this morning. but we may
be different on returning from Our
ceremonies
On the appearance OF the pontIn
himself IL seemed as though the peo-
pic would seek 70 carry him In their
arms. so great was their enthusiasm.
Cries OF "Plus. our pope. our father,
and Long live Plus X. were raised
Notwithstanding the large placards
posted all over the basilica saying:
"Acciamations are forbidden Leaf
lets To the same effect were distrib.
uted among the crowds. The cries
continued until the pontia was com
pclled 10 rise and bless the multitude.
and at the same time he made a sign
for more royorcntial behavior. Silence
was obtained when the choir an
nounced its entrance with the re-
sounding notes of the "Eccs Sacer-
dos Magnus." which were accompa-
MED by the sweet notes OF the silver
trumpcts
a quaint ceremony was then carried
ont. The master OF the ceremonies
knolt three times before the pontiii,
each time lighting n handful OF hemp
which surmouuted a silver torch, and
as the flame flashed and then died ont
he chanted "Pater Sancte. Sic Transit
Gloria Mundi" holy Father. thus
passeth away the glory Of the world.
The procession then proceeded, the
pope's face meanwhile Illuminated by
n smile. At the chapel OF the Sacra-
ment there was another halt, and his
holiness left the sedia gesiatoria and
prayed at the altar. On re-entering
the chair he was carried to the chapel
of st. Gregory. where he OBLIGATED at
a mass. being assisted by Cardinals
Macchi. hi Pietro. Segna and Vannu.
tell. Then all the cardinals donned
their silver copes and white mitres,
and the pope was borne to the throne
amid renewed acclamations and wav.
ing Of handkerchiefs. fans and hats.
From the throne. Plus Y. surrounded
by his suite. walked to the high altar,
standing over the crypt Of st. Peter,
into which meanwhile Cardinal Macchi
descended to pray. The altar was
surmounted by baldachinO supported
by four historic bronze pillars taken
from the Parthenon. The appearance
of the pope in that elevated position
called forth another burst Of enthu-
siasm. The pope then blessed the
altar. and after saying the "lndulgen-
TAM" the maniple, n symbol OF the
cord with which Christ was bound on
his capture. was placed with great
ceremony upon the pope's arm. At
the same time prayers for the coro-
nation were recited by Cardinals Van.
nutelli. Mocenni, Agliardi and Satolli.
Returning from the crypt, Cardinal
Macchi placed upon the shoulders OF
the pope the pOntifical pallium and
attached IT with three golden. jewelcd
pins, saying:
Receive this sacred pallium as a
symbol CT the fulness OF the pontiiical
Office. In honor OF Almighty God. tie
most glorious Virgin Mary. His moth
ct. the blessed apostles, st. Peter and
st Paul, and the Holy Roman Cath
olic church"
Mass was then celebrated with great
pomp and ceremony. the voice of the
pope becoming gradually more firm
and sonOrous until II was even audible
in the most distant corner of the i'm
mense church Following this, Cardi-
nal Macchi performed the rite OF in
censing the pope, whom he subse'
quently kissed three times on the