The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-06
The Ceremony Proved One of the
Most Gorgeous Of Vatican
4 Spectacles.
Plus Surprises His Visitors by His
knowledge Of Politics and the
French Tongue.
Speaks to Each Diplomat Personally
and Thanks Them for Their
Kind Wishes.

Rome, Aug. 6.-During one full hour
this morning there seemed to be nothing
but vibrating sounds SO penetrating were
the strokes Of the bells of about 500
churches which, all ringing together, alb
sorbed all other noises. The ringing was
in honor of the election of Plus X.-a
welcome unique of Its kind and ordered
by Cardinal Respighi, vicar Of Rome, who
issued special instructions therefor. All
the churches contemporaneousIy cele-
brated mass for the event, the intoning
Of the Oremus combining with the har-
mony.
The bells involuntarily served another
purpose, that Of ringing in the great GER
emony Of the reception of the diplomatic
body. accredited to the holy see. Rome
has lately been surfeited with vatican
functions but that of this morning was
so shrinking that it held it's own with the
others.
The members of the sacred college
gathered before the hour set for the cere-
mony and held kind of informal re-
ceptton, the conclave, short as 1t was,
having brought them cordially together.
.-. An Imposing Spectacle, s.s
A procession was then formed. First
came the Swiss guards, which give a
peculiar medieval splendor to all papal
gatherings, then the Palatine guard fol-
| lowed in irregular ranks by the whole
| ti-colored costumes, the cardinals in all
the gorgeousness Of their scarlet robes and
the bishops scarcely less striking in their
purple. The pope in spotless white, his
gray hair In harmony with his whole at
| tire, and surrounded by the Noble guards
who always remain near his person, went
on foot with the others.
The procession having gained the hall
| Of the throne where the members of the
| diplomatic body were gathered, Senior
D Antas, the Portuguese ambassador,
| and dean Of the corps, read in clear
voice the collective greeting Of his col
leagues, presenting their homage to the
new pope and assuring him of their fldel-
ity. ..--...
..r The Pope's Reply.
Plus x. answered with great cordiality.
| thanking them heartily for their good
Wishes All then kissed his hand and the
pont1ff took this opportunity OF speaking
personally to each, showing a knowledge
| of the politics of the diverse countries
| which surprised the diplomats, the new
cpontiff being credited with taking small
/ interest In affairs outside of Italy. 1t was
another surprise to them to hear him
speak French If not fiuently. at least
| with a certain readiness. Altogether the
whole audience gave promise Of a new era
OF international cordially at the vatican
4 The Coronation Ceremony.
The coronation will be performed at St
Peters on Sunday, according to a rite
dating from the later part Of the four
| teenth century. AS the pope enter the
church a clerk Of the papal chapel holds
up before him reed surmounted by a
handful Of flax. This is lighted; it flashes
up for a moment and then dies out al
once as the chaplain chants: 'Pate1
sancta, sic transit gloria mundi." (Holy
father, thus passeth away the worlds
glory0 This is done three times.
The mass is then begun as usual, but
before the 1ncensalion Of the altar the
blessing of the pontiff- elect is pro-
nounced by three cardinal bishops, each
of whom recites a prayer over him. After
| the collects come the so-called laudes
that is, the threefold supplications to God
for the welfare Of the new pope.
/ The coronation itself takes place after
the mass in the balcony 'er the porticc
Of st. Peters,, overlooking the piazza
The second cardinal deacon takes off the
inter, which until now the pope has worn
and then the senior cardinal deacon, Mac
chi, places the tiara on his head and al
the people cry out "Kyrie Eleison."
! The pope reckons his pontiflcate from
his coronation day; altho, of course. he is
pope from the day Of his election. -.
Plus x. has appointed his conclavist
Mgr. Bressan, as his private chaplain
which means that he will also be the
pontiff's chief private secretary.