The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-08-06
POPE RECEIVES AMERICANS
ENJOY HONOR OF BEING FIRST
 TO PAY HOMAGE.
Went to Receive Leo's BleasIng but Ar- rived Too oLste-Accompanisd by Carr dinaI Gibbons Pope Passes Down Long
 Line of Piigrims-A Kind Word for

Line of Piigrims-A Kind Word for
 Everyone.
 Rome, Aug. 5.-The spirit of "the king
 is dead. long live the king which has
 been repeated through all the long ages
 upon 8 change of sovereigns was the
 dominant note to-day at the vatican
 among those gathered there, not to ack-
 noWledge an earthly sovereign, but to
 accept without reserve Pope Plus x as
 their spiritual king. Not only had America enjoyed the honor of first an- nouncing through the Associated Press, the accession of the present pontiff to the chair of St. Peter, but to-day Amer jeans enjoyed the far greater privilege and honor of being the first among those os many other countries who were to follow to convey to his holiness the homage os the nations. The American pilgrimage conducted by John McGrant os New York and Father Lynch of the Niagara university Buffalo, N. Y.), which left the United States for it's Dious journey to Rome to receive the blessing of Leo XIII, arrived while the conclaye was sitting. Its members lin- gered until the never-to- o-be-forgotte moment yesterday when the. election of the new pope was announced and then decided reluctantly to leave to-day. But it was with tears of disappointment at not having been able to see the holy fa- ther that the pilgrims packed and strap ped their luggage and sent it to the sta- ton. While the desolate band was eat ing hurried luncheon preparatory to leaving MT. McGrant, with radiant face, burst in waving a paper and almost dancing in his excitement.
 You shall see him; you shall see him, ? he cried. Our cardinal has arranged it.''
 Cardinal Gibbons had been applied to yesterday to try to arrange for the re- ception of the Americans and had prom ised to do his best, at the same time ex- plaining how unprecedented it would be for a pope, the day after his election, to receive a aforeign pilgrimage when there were scores of high dignitaries who had not yet been admitted, including even the diplomatic body. Nevertheless he used his immense influence with the happiest result and secured the consent of the pope to receive his fellow coun- trymen. Their luggage was hastily brought back from the station in order that they might appear in proper ap-. parel and at 5:45 this afternoon all were at the bronze doors of the vatican There they were met by Mgr. Kennedy, rector of the American college, whose presence was quite sufficient to make the Swiss guard step back, present arms and gave entrance to all. They trooped ro the high stairway and on through the corridors bending their heads to pass through the openings in the walls which had been erected for the conclave. Bricks were still lying about on the fagstones. Through the beautiful log gia of Raphael they passed to the unique hall of inscriptions, where halt was called. Every heart was futtering, every pulse was beating highly as they waited, moment after moment. But still the holy father did not come. Guards gathered and strangers passed to and fro. Cardinal Gibbons, Mgr. Kennedy and Mgr. Bisletti disappeared. The poor pilgrims, who numbered about hum dred, waited on as though they had been abandoned. Suddenly there was a mur- Inur hush, hush," and they saw two Swiss guards enter from a corridor. Be- fore they could quite realize it they pope stood among them. Plus K is a little taller than Cardinal Gibbons, giving, however, the impression of being a much larger man as he is inclined to stoutness. He has abundant gray hair, eyes, handsome features and a magnifi- cent soft voice to which is added a pe- culiar grace due to his musical Venetian accent. His whole person emanated great benignity and cordiality.s He walked slowly but with the f1rmness of a young man down the long kneeling line, accompanied by Cardinal Gibbons and Mgr. Kennedy, and giving to each of the pilgrims as he passed his hand to be kissed. He spoke a few words to all most everyone. Plus X was arrayed completely in white without gleam of color except that which sparkled from the huge emerald on his finger. Cardi- nal Gibbons was on his right in red robes and Mgr. Kennedy on his left in purple. They were preceded by Swiss guards with halberds and followed by members of the noble guards. The mov- ing group was set off by the kneeling women who were all in black, their womanliness made more Womanly by the black lace veils which hung from their hair. The men wore dress suits and the priests black gowns. Pope Piux x appeared to be very much inter- ested when Father Lynch presented to him box containing white zucchetto, saying: .E.s
 we would be extremely gratified if your holiness would accept this gift in exchange for the one you wear"
 q will cheerfully do so," the pope re- piled immediately Thereupon Mgr. Bis leti lifted the zucchetto which the pope wore from his head and replaced it with the one which had been presented by Father Lynch. Mr. McGrant handed to the pope the offerings which the pil- grims had hastily put together to-day after lunch. The pope especially to the members of the Lante family of Phila- delphia, Father John D. Burke, pastor of the Church of St. Benedict the Moor, of New York; and Father Wall, who ex- pressly represented Archbishop Farley, and the Father James Roger Matthews of Washington. To Father Burke he gave special benediction for the color ed people. Occasionally as the pope passed along he laid his hand upon the