Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-10
THE CORONATION.
Of Pope Plus X in Basi|ica
of St. Peters.
Seventy Thousand People in Cathedral
to Witness Ceremonies.
The Triple Crown Placed on Head of
Venerable Pontiff.

iIoIle, aug. Sine ceremony OF the
coronation of Pope Plus X took place,
today, in the basilica of st. Peters in
the presence of princes and high dig
nitaries of the church. diplomats and
Roman mobiles and with all the solem-
nifty and splendor associated with this
the most magnificent rite in the Roman
Catholic church
AS Cardinal Macchi, the dean of the
cardinal deacons, placed the triple
crown on the head of the venerable
Pohtiff, the throng of 10000 persons
gathered within the cathedral burst in
to 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 a function in
ST. Peters. The great basilica, popu-
larly supposed to never have been quite
full, was overflowing with humanity.
The papal throne, bewildering mix
ture of gold, red and silver, was erect
ed in front of the high altar. On the
altar which was dressed in white, was
erected in front of the silver gilt cam
dlesticks and a magnificent crucifix. All
the available standing space within the
cathedral was divided into sections. by
wooden barriers, which to some extent
kept the crowd in order
Tn the early hours after sunrise. a
thick fog hung over Rome. AS the
morning wore on the fog dispersed and
the sun shone with all its southern in
tensity until it became unbearably hot.
At A. M, the ringing of bells an
nounced the imminent opening of the
4 - Har
among the crowd. But 10 minutes had
to el,,pse before the doors were opened.
The police and Italian soldiers had a
difficult task to maintain order as the
crushing and fatig4N had begun to tell
on the patience I" reople.
When the doors w. { ened the in
crush was terrific, m. y Who started
from the bottom of the 5 cps utside
were lifted off their feet an carr ed in
to the cathedral. 1t was a great hui
man torrent let loose, thousands of peo-
pie. rushing, crushing and squeezing
amid screams, protests. gesticulation
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 It. Women
tainted in comparatively large num-
bcrs and even men were overcome by
the heat, but no serious accident was
reported.
After their entrance the people had
further long hours of waiting and 1t
is computed that the majority were on
their feet altogether 10 hours, fiVe be-
fore the ceremony and another 1--WE
hours while it lasted.
Those who had received special invi-
tations including the high ecclesiastics.
who We're not participating in the pro-
cession, the diplomats and the Roman
aristocracy, had a reserved entrance
through the sacristy of st. Peters.
Prince Massino arrived, accompanied by
his daughter in-law, Princess Beatrice,
the daughter of Don Carlos, and they
were given prominent seats. Duke
Robert of Parma, was the only other
member of a royal family to attend.
Inside the Vatican palace there was
no less movement and hustle as the
Papal procession. composed OF about
500 people, all of whom had gathered
early in the apostolic palace, was form
ed The Pope seemed to be the only
tranquil one amongst them all. He
arose unusually early and took a few
turns IN the vatican BdrueIl. Httl lie
allowed himself to be dressed by the
cardinals. He evinced no nervousness.
and even said jokingly to the master
of the ceremonies, who the other
day suggested that he should use thu
plural form in speaking of himself:
I'VE feel very well; but we may be diff
ferent on returning from our corona
ton
Just before entering the sedia ges-
tatoria. he asked for his spectacles.
and when the master of the ceremonies
discreetly limited that His Holiness
would look better without them, he
said: Il have no desire to appear
what l am not and in fact he wore
them during the entire ceremony. The
procession was long time in getting
under way.
The central figure of the long cortege
was Plus x borne in the sedia GEES
tatoria. His heavy white robes and
the red and gold mitre were worn
without an effort. over the Pontiff's
head was canopy held by eight men.
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