The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-11
POPE Plus
IS CROWNED
Marvellous Scene in ST. Peters
Cathedral.
BEWlLDE RING CoLORS
The Great BasiIica, Popularly Supposed
Never to Have Been Quite Full,
Was Overlooking With Human
i.y-Beautifui Ceremonial.

ROME August Irwin the triple
crown. EN- bematic of spiritual &C.
clesiastical and temporal sovereign
~ resting upon his head Pope Plus
X. Sunday stood rvealcd to vast multi
tude assembled In st. Peters, the inca.-
nation OF the majesty and splendor of the
Roman Catholic Church.
The coronation and enthronement or tll.
Pontiff took place al spot OF especial
sancitity to the faithful-at the shrine II
st. Peter. Acclamations burst from tens
OF thousands of threats as the supreme
head Of the church, bent to receive the
tiara. the visible and awe-compellny
token of his authority as the Father OF
Kings, the rector Of the faithful. the
early vicar Of Christ.
MARVELLOUS SCENE IN ST. PETER 5.
1t is fifty-seven years since the Romans
and Europe assisted at such function in
st. Peters. The great basllica, popularity
supposed never to have been quite full,
was OVERLOOKING with humanity. The
papal throne, a bewildering mixeurc Of
gold. red and silver was erected in front
Of the high altar, which was dressed in
white Upon 1t stood the famous silver
gilt candlesticks and magnificent cruel
fix. The altar was surmounted by
bald acchino, supported by four historic
bronze pillars. taken from the parthenon.
The cathedral was Illuminated with
twinkling lights. while the marble col
umns and walls rendered the color scheme
more vivid. Overhead was the most mag
nificent dome in the world, up to which
noated the harmony OF tho music Of the
wonderful Sistine choir.
a. tn, 1opr
splendid cortege that escorted the new
Pontif to the scene Of his coronation
and enoblement was Plus X. Lorne in
the scdia gestatoria. His heavy white
robes and the red and gold mttre were
worn without an effort making vivid
contrast to those memorable occasions
on which Pope Leo XIII. wore them. for
Leo seemed always unable to support
their weight.
PROCESSION OF THE PRELATEs.
Over the Pontif1's head canopy was
held by eight men, while the historic
ostrich feather fans with peacock tips
gave q touch OF barbaric splendor to
Western eyes.
Surrounding Pope Plus were the Noble
Guard in new uniforms and cleaning
helmets and carrying drawn swords.
while In front marched the cardinals.
gorgeous bit OF color with many hand
some faces among them: the cardinal
bishops in their capes, the cardinal
priests. wearing chasubles. and the car
dinal deacons In theirs delmatics
"SIC TRANSIT GLORIA"
quaint ceremony was 3then carried
out. The master of the ceremonies knelt
three times before the Pontiff, each time
lighting a handful Of hemp which sur
mounted silver torch. and as the flame
flashed ard then died out he chanted
"Pater sancte, sic transit gloria mundi"
CHoly Father, thus passeth away the
glory OF the world. The procession then
proceeded, the Pope's face meanwhile H.
Illuminated b. smile. At the chapel OF
the Sacrament there was another halt,
and His Holiness left tho Sedia Costa
toria and prayed at the altar. On re-enter
Ing the chair he was carried to the chapel
Of St. Gregory where he of1lciated at a
mass, being assisted by Cardinals Macchi
Di Pietro. Segna and Vannutelli. Then all
the cardinals donned their silves copes
and white mitres, and the Pope was
borne to the throne amid renewed accla-
nations and waving of handerchiefs, fans
and hats.
From the throne Plus *. surrounded
by his suite. walked to the high altar
standing over the crypt Of St. Peter, into
which meanwhile Cardinal Mncchi de-
scended to pray. The appearance OF the
Pope In that elevated position called
forth another burst OF enthusiasm. The
Pope then blessed the altar. and after
saying the 'Indulbentiam," tho maniple.
a 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
coronation were rccited by Cardinals Van
nutelli, Mocenni, Asliardl and Satolli.
-, ! -
ers OF the Pope the pontiftcal palliu9
pins saying:
Receive this sacred pallium ms a SYM
Dol OF the fullness of the pontihcal office,
In honor OF Almighty God, the most glo-
rious Virgin Mary, His mother: the
blessed Apostles, ST. Peter and st. Paul.
and the Holy Roman Catholic Church,
GROWING EVENT.
The Holy Father then walked to the
shrine OF st. Peter for the culminatl ting
rites OF tho extremely fattguing cere-
mony. The whole Sacred College gathered
about the Pope singing Palestrina's
Corona Aurea Sueper Caput Ejes," while
the choir burst forth into song, Cardinal
Macchi then rec!ted the "Pater Noster"
and offered the following prayer:
"Omnipotent and ever eternal God, dig
nitary OF the clergy and author of SOW
ereignty, grant Thy servant. Plus X,
grace to fruitfully govern Thy church so
that he, who by Thy clemency becomes
and is crowned as Father Of Kings and
rector of all the faithful. through Thy
wise disposition may govern we'll"
"Amen." rang out from all corners OF
the Cathedral from the choir, the people,
the clergy and the patricans.
Cardinal Deacon Sesna then raised the
Pontir's mltre, and Senior Cardinal Dea-
con Macchi placed on me venerable white
head the Triple Crown, At this moment
the church was filled with the ringing Of
bells. the blowing OF silver trumpets, the
triumphant strains OF the chior and tho
determinations OF the multitude. which
could no longer be repressed,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.