Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-10
POPE Plus X IS CROWNED.

Pope Plus X took place yesterday III 'no
Basilica of st. Peters in the presence OF
the princes and high dignitaries OF the
church, diplomates and Roman mobiles,
and with all the solemnity and splendor
associated with this, the most magnlh-
cent 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 Pontlii the
vast throng of 10000 persons gathered
within the cathedral burst into unre-
strained acclamations, the choir intoned
hymn of triumph and the bells OF
Rome rang out joyful peal. /
1t was 81 years since the Romans and
Europe assisted at such a function in
ST. Peters. The great Basilica was
OVERLOOKING with humanity. The Papal
throne, a tewildering mixture OF gold,
red and silver, was erected in front OF
the high altar. On the altar, which
was dressed in white, stood the famous
silver giltcandlesticks and magnificent
crucifix. All the available standing
space within the cathedral was divided
into sections by wooden barriers, which,
to a certain extent, kept the vast crowd
in order
At6a. m. the ringing of bells an
nounced the imminent opening OF the
doors and commotion at once began
among the crowd. But ten minutes had
TO elapse before the doors were opened.
Prince Massimo 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 other mem
Der ola royal family to attend. Among
the aristocracy there was great mixture
of those Roman mobiles who remain
faithful to the Papacy and those adher-
ing to the Quirinal.
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 tran
quil one among them all. He rose I'M
usually early and took a stroll III the
Vatican gardens. Then he allowed him
self to be dressed by the cardinals.
The procession was long time IN
getting under way, but afterward, as 1t
moved through the magnificent halls
and corridors Of the Vatican, it recalled
former days when all was color and
picturesqueness within the palace.
The central figure in the long cortege
was Plus X, borne in the sedia gesta-
toria. His heavy white robes and the
red and gold inter were worn without
an effort, making a vivid contrast to
those memorable occasions on which Leo
XIII wore them, for Leo seemed always
unable to support their weight. Over
the Pontif's head canopy was held by
eight men, while the historic ostrich
feather fans with peacock tips gave a
touch of barbaric splendor to western
eyes.
Surrounding Pope Plus were the
Noble Guards, in new red uniforms and
cleaning helmets and carrying drawn
swords, while in front marched the
cardinals, gorgeous bit of color with
many handsome faces among them, the
cardinal bishops in their capes, the
cardinal priests wearing chasubles and
the cardinal deacons in their dalmatlcs.
Before leaving the Vatican the Pope
went to the Sistine Chapel TO worship,
and thence passed through the Sala
Regia and the Constantine staircase into
the portico on the Basilica. He there
seated himself on a throne erected di-
rectly before the holy door and with seats
around for members of the Sacred Col
lege, the Chapter of st. Peters and the
Papal Court. At the right of the throne
stood Prince Orsini the assistant to the
Papal throne. Cardinal Rampolla adj
yanced. knelt and kissed the foot of the
Pontif. He then presented the wishes
and greetings of the Chaper of St..
Peters. The Pontiff, answering, warm
ly thanked the chapter for its well
! wishes.
The procession then reformed and pro-
ceeded to the door of the Basillica.
The people in the Basilica had mean
time become very impatient, and when
the cleaning cross which preceded the
cortege was seen it was greeted with
great applause.
On the appearance Of the Pontiff him
self it seemed as though the people would
seek to carry him in their arms, so great
was their enthusiasm.
A quaint ceremony was then carried
out. The master of the ceremonies knelt
three times before the Pontif, each time
lighting handful of hemp which sur
mounted silver torch, and as the fame
flashed and then died out he chanted ::
"Holy Father, thus passeth away the
glory of the world"
The procession then proceeded. AT
the Chapel of tho Sacrament there was
another halt and the Pope left the sedia
gestatoria and prayed at the altar. On
re-enteriug the chair he was carried to
the Chapel of st. Gregory, where he
officiated at a mass. Then all the car
dinals donned their silver cOpes and
white miters and the Pope was borne to
the throne, amid renewed acclamations
and waving of handkerchief, fans and
hats.
The scene presented on his mounting
the throne formed magnificent picture.
The central figure was the Pontif seated
on the throne. Two lines of cardinals
clad in silver and scarlet reached to the
high altar with its burden Of burning
candles and sacred vessels, while around
stood the Papal Guards, the Pontifical
court, monks and officials. The cathe-
dral was illuminated with twinking