Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-03-04
OBSERVE PAPAL JUBILEE
Regal Pageant Marks the Anniversary
of POntif's Drowning,
LEO STANDS STRAIN REMARKABLY WELL
Surrounded by MuIti-Hued Cardinals
and Soldiers His Pale Face and
white Robes Give I'm
earthly Impression.

e, March 3-From sunrise to day
He Rome was on the alert and show
ing most unusual animation and inter-
est in the celebration Of the twenty fifth
anniversary of the coronation Of Pope Leo
XIII. This movement was especially
noticeable at the large hotels which were
Illuminated as though for a ball.
The crowds which gathered before the
first Gordon OF troops were impatient as
they stood dripping under the persistent
rain. There was a great clashing of UNI
brellas and general feeling OF discomfort
among the waiting sightseers, who included
very many women in most varied attire,
comprising foreigners Of all nationalities
and Italians from all parts OF the country,
the uniformity of the crowd being pleas
antly broken by groups OF sisters in the
different gowns OF their orders, Catholic
students and picturesquely attired friars.
When finally the doors of st. Peters we're
opened an almost indescribable struggle
occurred, in which all present forgot the
rules of holiness and strove hard with push
of elbows and feet to reach the interior Of
the sacred ediice, while on all sides were
heard cries of fear and imprecations not
very we'll suited to the spot where a notable
religious ceremony was about to begin.
The tribunes were soon crowded to over
flowing and all the best standing places
were taken. A period Of comparative calm
succeeded the great rush and the atten-
tion Of the people was attracted to the
guided throne near the high altar, and
to the immense pillars of the basllica,
hung with red silken draperies. Some of
the tribunes on each side of the altar
were filled with men and women blazing
with decorations.
Family of Pope Present.
In a special tribune was the pope's fam
lily, the diplomatic corps and the members
Of the order OF Malta, all in full uniform.
After an hour of very fatiguing wait
ing a majestic procession began to ap-
pear It was composed of the great dig
nitaries OF the church, the forty car
dinals present, gorgeous in their red robes,
alone making a most imposing character
istic and picturesque group.
At 1 O'Clock the great bell of St. Peters
rang out a signal, which was followed by
the ringing of the bells of about forty
churches in Rome, as they sounded the an
nouncement 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 afterward, inside st. PETERS, silver
trumpets blared out their message and the
pontiff appeared.
The people held their breath for a moment
and then all the pent up enthusiasm burst
forth In a tremendous roar OF welcohne.
From his elevation on the new sedia ges-
tatorIa, carried by twelve men in costumes
OF red brocade hanked by the famous fla
belli (spreading feather fans) and sur
mounted by white and gold canopy the
-
being. He seemed to be a white spirit, this
impression being added to by the pontiff's
white robes and white mitre, delicate fea-
lures. face white as alabaster and his thin
hands moving slowly in benediction.
Long Live Pope Leo.
AS the sweet-toned, well-trained voices OF
the Sistine choir sang Tues Petrus" thou
sands of voices shouted Long live Pope
Leo" handkerchiefs iuttered in the air, the
banners of the various societies represented
we're waved and many of those present,
overcome with emotion, sobbed loudly, while
others tainted from excess OF feeling or
fatigue.
Meanwhile the pope proceeded slowly on
what seemed a carpet OF heads, absorbing
the entire attention of the vast throng.
When the pope arrived at the throne the
ceremony proceeded rapidly. Leaving the
sedia gestatoria the pontiff knelt and prayed
and then rose without assistance, donned
the falda and the new triple crown and the
celebration of the mass began.
At the moment Of the elevation OF the
pope a profound silence fell in the assem-
blage. the guards presented arms, the peo-
pie knelt, where 1t 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 re-
storatives, prepared on purpose every time
he goes to St. Peters.
AerOEram from America.
NEW YORK, March 3-The following
telegram has been sent TO the pope by
Cardinal Gibbons, transmission having
been made by the Marconi wireless system:
BALTIMORE. March Pope Leo XIII,
Rome, Italy: American hierarchy, clergy
and laity send gratulations on your
jubilee (Signed)
JAMES, CARDINAL GIBBONS.