Gilpin observer., 1903-08-13
POPE Plus CROWNED
GEVENTY THOUSAND WITNESS
CORONATION CEREMONIES.
vaet Audience WilaIy Ae.lslro vcn-
cradle Pontiff When TRIPLE Crown
is Placed on HE Head 1t clc-c Of
Ceremony In s.. Peters.

Rome, Aug. 10-The ceremony of
the coronation of Pope Plus took place
in the basilica of st. Peters, in the
presence of the princes and high dig
nitaries of the church, diplomats. Rom
an mobiles and with all the solemnity
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
pontiff the throng of 10000 persons
gathered within the cathedral burst
into unrestrained acclamations the
choir intoneG a hymn of triumph and
the bells OF Rome rang out joyful
peal.
1t is fifty-seven years since the
Romans and Europe assisted at such
O function as was held in st Peters.
The great basilica, popularly supposed
never to have been quite full. was
overfiowing with humanity. The papal
throne. a bewildering mixture of gold,
red and silver, was erected in front
of the high altar. AS. contrary to Gus
tom on these ceremonials. there was
no galleries, the basilica bore more of
its normal aspect. On the altar. which
was dressed In white, stood the IA
nous gilt candesticks and a magnih-
cent crucifix. All the available stand
ing space within the cathedral was
divided into sections by wooden bar
riers. which to a certain extent kept
tho vast crowd in order.
Inside the vatican palace there was
no less movement and hustle as the
papal procession, composed of about
500 persons. all of whom had gathered
early in the apostolic palace. was
formed. The pope seemed to be the
only tranquil one among them all. The
procession was long time in getting
under way. The central figure in the
long procession was Plus X. His
heavy white robes and the red and
gold mitre were worn without an ef-
fort. Over the pontiff's head canopy
was held by eight men. while the his
toric ostrich feather fans. with pea
cock tips. gave touch of barbaric
splendor to western eyes.
At 6 a m. the ringing OF bells an
rounced the imminent opening of the
doors and a commotion at once began
among the crowd. But ten minutes
had to clap before the doors were
opened. and each seemed century
to the waiting crowd which for hours
already had been standing before the
closed portals. The police and Ital-
ian soldiers had a difficult task to
maintain order. as the crushing and
fatigue had begun to tell ON the pa
thence OF the people.
When the doors were opened the in
rush was terrific. many who started
from the bottom OF the steps outside
were lifted from their feet and car
ried into cathedral. II was a great
human torrent let loose. thousands of
people. rushing. crushing and squeez-
ing amid protests. gesticulations and
cries for help. But once in the whirl-
pool there was no escape. and the COM
pactness of the crowd proved to be
the safety of those caught in it. Wom-
en- tainted In comparatively large num-
bers and even were overcome by the
heat. but no serious accidents were
reported. Fortunately there were very
few children present. After their en-
, trance the people had further long
that the majority were on their feet
altogether ten hours. five before the
ceremony and another flve hours while
It lasted.
The scene on his mount
ing the throne presented a magnificent
picture. to which no pen could do JUS
tice. The central figure was the ven-
cradle pontiff seated un the throne
Two lines OF cardinals. clad in silver
and scarlet. reached to the big altar
with its burden OF burning candles
ard sacred vessels. while around stood
the papal guards. the pontiflcal court.
monks and officials.
From the throne. Plus X, surrounded
by his suite. walked to the high altar.
standing over the crypt of st. Peter.
The appearance OF the pope in that
elevated position called forth a burst
OF enthusiasm.
Mass was then celebrated with great
pomp and ceremony. the voice OF the
pope becoming more firm and sonorous
until II was even audible In the most
distant corner of the immense church
Following this. Cardinal Macchi per.
formed the rite Of incenslng the pope
whom he subsequently kissed three
times ON the cheeks and chest. as did
Cardinals Segna and vannuteln
The holy father then walked TO the
throne of st Peter for the eliminating
rites OF the extremely fatigulng cere-
mony.
The whole sacred college gathered
about the pope singing Palestrina's
Corona" while the choir burst forth
into song. Cardinal Macchi then re.
cited the Pater Noster. and offered
prayer. Cardinal Deigan then prc.