The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-10
POPE Plus X.
IS CROWNED
Fully 10000 Persons Witness the
Magnificent Ceremony in st.
Peters Cathedral.
As the Pope Appears the Expectant
Crowd Breaks Forth Into En-
thusiastic Cheers.
Nor Does the Tumult Cease Until
Plus Arises and Blesses
the People.

Rome, Aug. 10.-The ceremony Of the
coronation of Pope Plus x. took place yes
terday in the basilica Of st. Peters In the
presence Of the princes and high d1gn1ta-
ries of the church, diplomats ana roman
mobiles, and with all the solemnity anu
splendor associated with this, the most
magnificent rite in the Roman Catholc
church.
AS Cardinal Macchi, dean Of the cardi-
nal-deacons, placed the triple crown on the
head of the venerable pontiff the throng
of 70, 900 persons gathered within the cath
edral burst into unrestra1ned acciarna-
lions. the choir intoned hymn OF trl-
umph, and the bells of Rome rang out a
joyful peal.
The great basilica, popularity supposed
never to have been quite full, was over
flowing with humanity. The papal
throne. a bewidering 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
gilt candesticks and a magnificent cruel
fix. All the available standing space
within the cathedral was divided into Sec
tons by wooden barriers, which to GER
tain extent kept the vast crowd in order.
Crowd Was Immense.
When the doors were opened the crush
was terrific. Many who started from the
DOILOW OF tue steps OUTSIDE "elo llAteO
off their feet and carried into the cathe-
dral It was a great human torrent let
loose. Thousands rushed and squeezed
amid screams, protests, gesticulations 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. Many women tainted
and even men were overcome by the heat
but no serious cases were reported. After
entrance the people had further long
hours of waiting, and it Is computed that
the majority were on their feet altogether
ten hours-five before the ceremony and
another five hours while it lasted
Within the Vatican.
Inside the vatican palace there was no
less movement and hustle as the papal
procession, composed Of about 500 per-
sons, all Of whom had gathered early In
the apostolic palace, was formed. The
pope seemed to be the only tranquil one
among them all. He rose unusually early
and took a stroll In the vatican garden.
Then he allowed himself to be dressed
by the cardinals. He evinced no nervous
ness. and even said jokingly to the mas
ter Of ceremonies. who the other day sug
gested that he should use the plural form
in speaking of himeslf, I'VE feel very well
this morning, but we may be different on
returning from our coronation.
Just before entering the sed1a getatoria
he asked for his spectacles, and when the
master of ceremonies discreetly limited
that his holiness would look better with
out them, he said: IT have no desire to
appear what I am not" and he wore them
during the entire ceremony. n
The procession was long time In
getting under way, but afterward as II
moved thru the magnificent halsl and cor
ridors Of the vatican 1t recalled former
days when all was color and picturesque
ness within the palace.
The central figure in the long cortege
was Piux x, borne in the sedia gestato-
ria. His heavy white robes and the red
and gold mitre were worn without an
effort making a vivid contrast to those
memorable occasions on which Pope Lee
XIII. wore them, for Leo seemed always
unable to support their weight. Over the
pontiffs head q canopy was held by eight
men, while the historic ostrich feather
fans. with peacock tips gave a touch Of
barbaric eplendor to western eyes
Surrounding Pope Plus were the
noble guard In red uniforms
and cleaning helmets and carrying
drawn swords, while in front marched the
cardinals, gorgeous splash Of color, witt
many handsome faces among them, the
cardinal bishops in their capes, the car
dinal-priests. wearing chasubles and the
cardinal deacons in their dalmatfcs
The Procession Advances.
The procession proceeded to the dool
of the basilca, thru which Plus x. cas-
an almost terror stricken glance, wins
pering to DR.. Lapponi Shall 1 ever b.
able to go thru with it?'
The people In the basilica had mean
time become impatient, and when tn
cleaning cross which preceded the cor
tege was seen 1t was greeted with grea
applause. On the appearance Of the pom
tiff himself it seemed as tho the peopl
would seek to carry him in their arms
so great was their enthusiasm. Cries o
''Pius, our pope, our father" and "Lon
live Piux X!'' were raised, notwithstand
ing the large placards posted all over tn
basilica, saying: "Acclamations are Forbid
den." Leaflets to the same effect were dis
tributed among the crowd. The cries con
tinued until the pontiff was compelled t
rise and bless the multitude. and at tn
same time he made sign for more rev
erential behavior.
A quaint ceremony was then carried out
The master of the ceremonies knelt tl1re
times before the pontiff, each time light
ing handful of hemp which surmounte
a silver torch, and as the fame t1ashe
and then died out he chanted pate
sance sic transit glacia mundi'' (Hol
father, thus passeth away the glory Of tn
worldly y ...
.Ascends to His Throne.
The scene presented on his mounting tn
throne formed magnificent picture t
which no pen could do justice. The cen
= trail figure was the venerable pontiff seate
on the throne Two lines OF cardinals
clad in silver and scarlet reached the hg
altar, with It's burden of burning candle
and sacred vessels, while around stood tn
papal guards, the pontifcal court, monk
and officials. The cathedral was illumi
mated with twinkling lights, while the mar
BILE columns and walls rendered the colo
scheme more vivid. Overhead was TIL
most magnificent dome in the world, IL
to which floated the harmony of the music
From the throne Plus X surrounded b
his suite, walked to the high altar, stand
ing over the crypt Of st. Peter, into whic
meanwhile Cardinal Machi descended I
pray. ...
The pope then blessed the altar, an
after saying the "indulgentiam," the man
iple, a symbol of the cord with whic
Christ was bound on his >capture wa