The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-08-11

gestatolja.. His heavy white robes
and the red and gold mitre were morn
without an effort, making a vivid con-.
trast to those memorable occasions on
which Pope Leo XIII wore them, for
Leo seemed always unable to support
their weight. Over the pontiff's head
a canopy was held by eight men, while
the historic octrich feather fans with
peacock tips gave a touch of barbaric
%splendor to Western eyes.
Surrounding Pope Plus were the no
Bile guard in new red uniforms and
i0.aming helmets and carrying drawn
swords, while in front marched the
cardinals. a gorgeous bit Of colOy with
many handsome faces among them, the
cardinai-bishops in their capes, the
cardinal-priests, wearing c~hausable3,
and the cardinal-deacons in their del
mates. Another figure which evoked
murmurs of admiration and craning
of necks was the CHI plain in his Grim
o cope proudly bearing the cushion
on which reposed the famous triple
crown SO soon to rest on the head CT
Plus.
Worships in the sistine Chapel.
Before leaving the vatican, the pope
WIFI = IA J1oCAllC IL DCl W WOIoLl
before the sacrament exposed therein,
thence passing through the Sala Regia
and the Constantine staircase into the
portico of the basilica. He there
seated himself on a throne erected d.
rectly before the holy door and V.
seats around for the members Of [
sacred college, the chapter Of ST.
Peters and. the papal court, at the
right of the throne stood Prince Or
sina. the assistant to the papal throne,
who withdrew his recent resignation
OF the post in order to participate at
the function. Immediately beside the
pope were the major dono. Mgr.
Cagiano, the master Of the chamber,
Mgr. Bisleti. the master of ceremc-
MES. Mgr. Riggs, and Dr.. 7 apponi.
The pontiff was exceedingly pale, but
composed.
The low ceiling sent back an ex-
quisite echo of the '"Tues Petrus"
sang by the Sistine choir. whose
voices were heard outside in the piaz-
"a OF st. Peters. Cardinal Rampolla
advanced with dignity, knelt and
kissed the foot of the pontiff. He
then presented in a firm voice the
wishes and greetings of the chapter of
st. Peters, which he said "offer an
act OF obedience to your holiness and
wish you a and glorious
rontificate."
Pontiff VisibIy Touched.
The pcntiff was visibly touched and,
answering in a trembling voice. warm
ly thanked the chapter for their we'll
wishes. ~"Good wishes" he said, "tare
extremely precious"
Tho ,noncCior than no nforonl
and proceeded to the door of the
basilica through which Plus x cast
an almost terror-stricken glance,
whispering to Dir. Laponni. "Shall 1
yer be able to go through with it."
The people in the basilica had mean
time become impatient and when the
cleaning cross which preceded the
cortege vas seen it was greeted with
great applause. On the appearance of
the pontiff himself it seemed as
though the people would seek to carry
him in their arms, SO great was their
enthusiasm. Cries of "Pius, u
pope. II father" and Long live Plus
X" were raised, notwithstanding the
large plscards posted all over the
basilics saying: "Acclamations are
forbidden" leaflets to the same eff
feet were distributed among the crowd.
The cries continued until the pontiff
vas compelled to rise and bless the
multitude, and at the same time he
made q SIN for more reverential be-
havior. Silence was obtained when
the choir announced it's entrance with
the resounding notes of the "ecce
caccrdos magnus," accomanied by the
sweet notes of silver t1umpets.
"Sic Transit Gloria Mundi."
A quaint ceremony al then car
ried out. The master of the ceremo-
MES knelts three times before the pom
tiff, each time lighting a handful Of
hemp which s~urmounted a silver torch.
and as the fame flashed and then died
out he chanted "pater sancte, sc
transit gloria mundi" (holy Father.
thus passeth away the glory of the
WORLD.
The procession th2n proceeded, the
pope's face meanwhile Illuminated by
a smile. At the chapel of the sacra-
| toria and prayed at the altar. On re-
| entering the chair he was carried to
the chapel of st: Gregory, where he
otficiated at a mass: being assisted by
Cardinals Macchi, Di Pitero, Segna
! and Vannute,li. Then all the cardi-
| na's {onned their silver cones and
white mitres and the pope was borne
| to the throne amid renewed acclama-
tions.
The scene presented on his mounting
the throre formed a magnificent pic
ture. The central figure was h ven
cradle Pantiff. seated on the throne.
Two lines of cardinals clad in silver
and scarlet reached to the high altar
with its burden of burnin~ candles
eNa sacred vessels. while around stood
tho napal guards. the rortifcal court,
monks and officials. The cathedral
was Illuminated with twinkling lights,
while the margle columns and walls
rendered the color scheme more vivid.
Overhead was the most magnificent
dome in the world. up to which floated