Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-12
CONFERRED RED HATS
Pope Plus Held First Public
Cons story Today.
CROWDS AT VATICAN
FIVE CARDINALS RECIPIENTS OF
PApAL HONoRS.
Group of Prelates in Sistine Chapel
Formed Striking Picture
When Taking Oath.

When Taking Oath.
ROME, November 12.-Pope Plus X held
his first public conslstory today. Five car
d:nals including the papal secretary or
state, Merry del Val, received their red
hats.
The holding of the first public cons story
under the new pontificate and the confer
ring of the red hat on the papal secretary
OF state Merry del Val, were circumstances
50 exceptional that considerable excitement
pervaded the whole apostolic palace, the
pope himself being about the only person
who remained calm
Thoroughfares to Vatican Crowded.
At an early hour all the thoroughfares
leading to the Vatican were crowded with
cabs cIrrying thous tnds of persons hurry
ing to secure good positions from which 10
witness the solemn function. while car
d!nals and other prelates and the various
personages attached to the papal court
drove up in heavy, oldfashioned carriages
and were received with the usual honors hy
the papal guards.
The day despite the fact that it was tne
middle of November. when rain may be cx-
pected. was beautifully clear and crisp.
Went to Sistine Chapel
The ceremonies began at 1890 o'clock,
when the five cardinals who were to receive
the red hat, Mgr. Merry del Val. Mgr. Cal
legari the archbishop of Padua: Mgr.
Ajuti the papal nuncio at Lisbon: Mgr.
Taliani; the papal nuncio at Vienna, and
Mgr. Katschthaler, the archbishop of Sa,z-
burg. Austria, went to the S stine Chapel
to take the oath before Cardinals Oregla,
Rampo1!a and Macchi, hoads of the three
orders of the sacred college.
Wore Their Red Robes.
Mgr Merry del Val and Mgr Callegari
wore their red robes for the first time and
all the group of prelates formed a most
striking picture. the effect being heightened
by the Incompatible singing of the Sis,ine
choir. directed by the Able Berosi.
All present noticed the firmness and de-
ter mination with which Mgr. Merry del Val
pronounced tie words. of the, oath. 30.
Filled to Overlooking.
Meanwhile the corridors through which
the cortege had to pass and the Sala Regia.
where the consistory was held. were filled
to overfiowing even the places in the three
tribunes. with seats set apart respectively
TO, the diplomats. the Roman aristocracy
and specially invited persons, being un-
comfortably crowded.
When the audience had. begun to feel the
strain of waiting distant murmur, grad
ually enlarging into distinct phrasesaf ac-
cIamatioH. advised those who occupied the
Sala Regia that the pope was approaching.
''Long Live the Pope"
A moment or so later the whole gorgeous
picture burst upon their view. arousing a
perfect storm. of applause and cries OF
Long live Pope Pius!' and Long live the
pontiff" which were continued until the
pope had descended from the sedia gestl-
tCria, in which he had been borne by eight
scarlet-clad sediaria, fanked by the great
feather fans.
Comparison With Leo.
Naturally there were comparisons of
Plus x with the late Pope Leo XIII. Only
a few months ago the figure which then
cupfed the sedia gestatoria was frail and
bowed more like spirit than a man. Now
the pontiff was a strong living personality.
His holiness was clothed in full pont fical
robes, with the miter, an immense emerald
sparkling on his finger as he ra.sed his hand
to bless the assemblage. Precedn HIM
were the celebrated Swiss guards the car
dinals coming close behind them.
Noble Guard Came Next
The Noble Guard camenext, escorting the
pontifr, who was followed by a train Of
bishops, priests, monks and court laymen,
at the end of the procession being another
detachment of guards.
The pontiff seated himself on the throne
at the end of the hall, while the cardinals
went to their stalls on either side with the
bishops at the left.
Intense silence then fell over the assem-
bled throng and then the new card nails
were introduced by the master of ceremo-
MES, whO while they knelt one by one be-
fore the pope, held cardinals hat over
their heads
Repeated Formula in Latin.
Thereupon the pontiff. with real emotion,
repeated the usual formula in Latin, used
on such occasions, after which he embraced
the five cardinals tendery.
The newly honored prelates then arose
and went to each of their brother cardinals
and gave and received the usual fraternal
embrace. the choir in. the meanwhile sing
ing softly.
When the ceremony of the exchange of
slowed the papal benediction on all present
and then withdrew. the halls and loggias
echoing with acclamations he passed. on
his way to his apartments.
Placed Rings on Fingers.
After returning thanks in the Sistine
Chapel the new cardinals. wish the other
CARDINALS, retired to the hall of the con-
sistory to hold supplementary secret con-
sistory, during which the pope granted
them the privilege of participating in and
speaking at meetings of the congregations,
placed the cardinals ring on their fingers
and made each of them titular bishop of
a cilurci On Rome.
1t was only today that the pope signed
the brief officially appointing Cardinal del
Val papel secretary of state and making
him member of the congregation of rites
of extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs.
Americans Present.
Among the Americans who were present