Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-03-07
THE POPE CELEBRATES.
magnificent Cerem OniaI at st. Peters
In Honor of His Coronation
Twenty-Five Years Ago.

Twenty-Five Years Ago.
Rome, March 4.-From sunrise Tues
day all Rome was on the alert and
showing most unusual animation and
interest in the celebration of the TWEEN
ty-hfth anniversary of the coronation
OF Pope Leo XIII. This movement was
especially noticeable at the large ho-
tells, which were illuminated as though
for a ball.
1t was calculated that there were
about $4,000 people present. There
were about 1000 Americans in the
trlbunes and the body of the church.
After an hour of very fatlguing wait
ing majestic procession began to ap-
pear. 1t was composed of the great
d1gnltaries of the church, the As car
dlnals present, gorgeous in their red
robes, alone making most imposing,
characteristic and picturesque group
AT II o'clock precisely the great bell
OF st. Peters rang out a signal, which
was followed by the changing of the
bells of about 500 churches in Rome as
they sounded the announcement that
the pontiff was on his way to the
basilica. The life of the ancient city
seemed to pause for a moment, hats
were raised and the sign of the cross
was made. Shortly afterwards inside
ST. Peters, silver trumpets blared out
their message and the pontiff appeared
The people held their breath for
moment and then all the pent-up en-
h11r do,
roar of welcome.
From his elevation on the new sedia
gestatoria, carried by II men in cos
tunes of: red brocade, fanked by the.
famous fiabell spreading feather
fans) and surmounted by a white and
gold canopy, the pope appeared to be
more than human being. He seemed
to be white spirit, this impression be-
ing added to by the pontiff's white
robes and white mitre, delicate fea
lures, face white as alabaster and his
thin hand moving slowly in benedic-
ton.
AS the sweet toned, we'll trained
voices of the Sistine choir sang ''Tu es
Petrus," thousands of voices shouted
Long live Pope Leo" handkerchiefs
futtered in the air, the banners of the
various societies represented were
waved, and many Of those present,
overcome with emotion, sobbed loudly
while others tainted from excess of
feeling or fatigue.
When the pope arrived at the throne,
the ceremony proceeded rapidly.
Leaving the sedia gestatoria, the pom
tiff knelt and prayed, and then rose
without assistance, donned the falda
and the new triple crown, and the cele-
bration of the mass began.
At the moment of the elevation of
the Host profound silence fell on the
assemblage, the guards presented
arms, the people knelt, where it was
possible for them to do so, and from
the cupola came the clear thin sounds
of silver trumpets, giving the idea of
heavenly music.
The pope then administered the
papal benediction and retired to a
room for restoratives, 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 warn
ings, the ceremony did me good. What
touching loyalty"
When the pope returned to the vati-
can from the basilica, he resumed his
place on the sedia gestatoria and was
carried throughout the whole length
of the cathedral, rising erect many
times to bestow blessings while many
princes, cardinals, diplomatists and
bishops bowed low and the crowd salut-
ed him frantically. When the pontiff
had departed the people Immediately
left ST. Peters, but as it was still rain
ing heavily there was much difficulty
and confusion in obtaining carriages.
However, in three quarters of an hour
the piazza was deserted.
When the pope returned to his apart
ments he wished to discuss the cere-
mony and give his Impressions of it,
but his physician insisted on complete
quiet, on which the pontiff exclaimed:
THE demonstration to-day has been
so affecting. 1t surpassed all my ex-
pectations. [ am completely satisfied.
There was no note of discard"