Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-25
LEO MEETS HIS PEOPLE
LARGE ASSEMBLY IN ROME AT
PUBLIC CoNsIsToRY TODAY.
Pontif Shows Increasing Weakness
and Looks Wax-Like
and Thin.

ROME June 25-The public consistory,
postponed from June Is. was held TO-DAY
with much pomp and circumstance ana
additional interest and reverence, 1or IN
spite of the reassuring news concerning
the pope's health many persons oeheVed
that this would be the last consistory I'M
der Leo XIII.
The assemblage gazed at the venerable
pontiff with intense curiosity, ana there
was redoubled enthusiasm in the cries OF
Long live Leo! He looked little more
wax-nke a little more bowed. his voice
was somewhat thinner and it was evident
that his attendants were anxious.
Carried by Eight Bearers.
There were many strangers among the
crowds of people who gathered In the
corridors of the Sala Regia and Sala Du-
Gale to witness the passage of the cortege.
The pontiff was borne in the Sedia Costa
toria by eight bearers clad in red brocade.
They were fanked by the bearers OF the
famous ''fiabelli' or feathered fans.
The pope smiled while he blessed the
crowds as he passed. In fact. at times he
tried to rise so as to better impart his
benediction, and 1t was only when he de-
scended from the Sedia Gestatoria that
his extreme weakness was apparent.
Gorgeous Cardinals.
Following the pontiff came gorgeous
line of scarlet-clad cardinals, friars in va
rious habits, priests and members OF the
papal court wearing velvet knee breeches
and white ruffs. The church dignitar1es
were escorted by the noble, Swiss and
Palatine guards which, with the Sist1ne
choir chanting solemnly, formed an emo
tiOnal picture.
Special tribunes were erected on both
sides of the papal throne for the accom-
mediation of the members of the diplomatic
corps, the knights of Malta, the Roman
aristocracy, the family of the pope and
relatives Of the newly created cardinals.
Among the Americans present were Mon
signor Kennedy, rector of the American
College; Monsignor Farrelly, secretary OF
lain to the pope; Most Rev. Robert Seton
formerly of Jersey City, N. JD, titular
archbishop of Heliopolis, and Right Rev.
F. T. Rocker, bishop of Jaro, Philippine
Islands
The ceremony was made as short as pos
sible in order to lessen the pontiff's fatigue.
The pope sat on the throne facing the
brocade-covered benches. in the form of
square, on which the cardinals were seated.
Conferring the Red Hat.
The new cardinals present who were to
receive the red hat from the pontiff, accord
ing to custom, first took the oath In tho
Sistine Chapel and were then ushered into
the Salaregia, where they were greeted by
the master of the ceremonies. On approach
ing the pontiff the three cardinals knelt
and kissed his feet and his hands, and the
pope then gave them the double embrace.
The new cardinals afterward embraced
the other cardinals. Returning to the pom
tiff each of the new cardinals then received
from his hands a cardinals hat, which
ended the ceremony.
Bestows Benediction.
The pope thereupon rose bestowed the
apostolic benediction and, preceded by the
pontifical cross and surrounded by the car.
dinals and his attendants impressively re-
tired. Subsequently the pope rejoined the
cardinals In the Sistine Chapel, and the
pontiff announced the new episcopal aD-
pointments. These appointments have ell
been previously announced from time to
time.
The postulants, for Archbishop Farley.
Monsignor, Farrelly; for Archbishop Qufs-
ley Monsignor Jacquemn. and for Bishop
Orth, Father Descuffi, of the propaganda,
then entered the hall and asked the pope to
bestow the palliums on the prelates they
represented. which was granted. They will
be delivered tomorrow. The function end
ed with the pope giving the new cardinals
their rings as princes of the church