Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-03-03
twenty-five
YEARS A POPE.
Celebration at Rome of the
Twenty-fifth Year of Cor
onation of Leo XIII.
GORGEOUS SCENE IN ST. PETERS
Seventy five Thousand People Crowd
and Push Into the Greet Cathedral
90 SEQ the ceremony-Leo Much Al
fected by the Touching Loyalty,
sf the People.

oil Rome was on the alert, showing
most unusual animation and interest in
the celebration Of the twenty fifth an.
niversary Of the coronation OF Pope Leo
XIII. This movement was especially
noticeable at the large hotels which
were Illuminated as tho for a ball. An
idea Of the number OF people congre-
eating at the vatican could be formed
By the fact that it was utterly impos-
eible to get carriage, If O vehicle had
not been ordered yesterday, especially
as 1t was raining and by the prices
charged for those secured in advance.
The scene On the piazza of st. Peters
was magnificent. There assembled
many hundreds of Italian troops in var
ious modern uniforms, making strik-
ing contrast with the medieval cos
tunes OF the Swiss papal guard on duty
at the bronze doors OF the cathedral.
The crowds which gathered before the
first Gordon of troops, as they stood
dripping under the persistent rain.
There was great clashing of umbrel-
las and a general feeling of discom-
fort among the awaiting sightseers
who included very many women in
most varied attire, comprising foreign
ers of all nationalities and Italians from
all parts OF the country.
When finally doors OF st. Peters
opened an almost indescribable strug-
gle occurred. in which all present for
got the rules Of politeness and stroye
hard with push of elbows and feet
to reach the interior OF the sacred ed
tfice, while on all sides were heard
chies OF fear and imprecations not very
well suited to a spot where notable
religious ceremony was about to be-
gin.
Crush in the Cathedral.
Once inside the cathedral. ladies who
wore lace gowns found them to be in
q much mutilated condition and some
women were carried away In a fainting
condition.
overflowing and all the best standing
parative calm succeeded this great rush
and the attention of the people was at
tracted to the gilded throne near the
Iigh altar and to the immense pillars of
the basilica hung with red silken
draperies. Some Of the tribunes on each
side of the altar We're flied with men
and women blazing with decorations. In
the group of royal personages were
Crown Princess Victoria Of Sweden and
Norway, Countess Mathilde of Brani,
of Bourbon, Naples family; duke and
duchess of Saxe-Weimer, Duke Robert
of Parma, grand duchess of Mecklen-
berg: princess of Lechtenstein and
Prince Maximillian of Saxony. In the
special tribune was the popes family.
diplomatic corps and members OF the
Order of Malta, all In fn'l uniform
Entrance Of the Pontiff.
After an hour of very fatiguing wait
ing the majestic procession began to
appear. 1t was composed of great dig
nitaries of the church. the forty-five
cardinals present, gorgeous in their
red robes, alone making most impos-
Ing, characteristic aud picturesque
group At II o'clock, precisely, the
great bell of st. Peters rang out sig
nal. which was followed by the changing
OF the bells of about 500 churches in
Rome, as they sounded the announce
ment that the pontiff was on his way
to the hasilica. The life of the ancient
city seemed to pause for moment,
hats We're raised and the sign of the
cross was made. Shortly afterwards in
side st. Peters the Silver trumpets
hlnred out their message and the pontiff
appeared. The people held their breath
for a moment and then all the pent-up
enthusiasm burst forth.
From his elevation on the new sedia
gestatoria, carried by twelve men in
costumes of red brocade, fianked by the
famous fabelli (spreading feather fans)
and surmounted by a white and gold
canopy, the pope appeared to be more
than a human being; he seemed to be
& white spirit, this impression being
added to by the pontiff's white robes
and white mitre, the delicate features of
the face, white as alabaster. and his
thin hand moving slowly in benediction.
AS the we'll trained voices of the Sistine
choir sang "Tu Els Pertrs," thousands
OF voices shouted Long i've Pope Leo"
handkerchiefs futtered in the air, and
the banners of various societies repre-
sented were waved and many of those
present, overcome with emotion, sobbe6
loudly, while the others tainted from
pope arrived at the throne the cere-
n,ony proceeded rapidly. Leaving the
sedia gestatoria the pontiff knelt and
nrayed and then arose without assist
ance, donned the falda and the new
triple crown and the celebration of
mass began.
At the moment of the elevation of the
host profound silence fell on the as
semblage, guards presented arms and
the people knelt, where 1t was possible
for them to do so, and from the cupola
came the clear, thin sound of the silver
trumpets, giving an idea of heavenly
music. The pope then administered
the papel benediction ana retired to his
room for the restorativas prepared on
purpose every time he goes to st. Pc
ter's There addressing DR.. Lapponi,
his private physician, the pontiff said:
>You see, that after all your warnings,