The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-03
BIG DAY IN ROME.
Celebration of the Twenty-fifth
Anniversary
OF the Coronation of Pope Leo
XIII.
CRUSH WAS TERRIFIC.
People Fought and SWOre in Eff
fort to Gain a Place
Inside St. Peters Where the
Ceremony Was Held.


all Rome was on the alert and showing
most unusual animation and interest in
the celebration of the twenty-hfth anni-
versary OF the coronation of Pope Leo
XIII. This movement was especially
noticeable at the large hotels which
were Illuminated as though for a ball
An idea of the number of people con-
gregating at the vatican could be formed
by the fact that it was utterly impossi-
BILE to get carriage if the vehicle had
not been ordered yesterday. especially as
it was raining and by the prices charged
for those secured IN advance.
The scene on the piazza of St Peters
was magnificent. There were assembled r
many hundred of Italian troops in vari-
GUS modern uniforms making a striking
contrast with the medieval costumes Of
the Swiss papal guard on duty at the
bronze doors of the cathedral.
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
umbrellas and a general feeling of dis
comfort among the awaiting sightseers.
who included very many women ia
most varied attire. comprising foreign
ers of all nationalities and italians from
all parts of the country the uniformity
of the crowd being pleasantly 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
were opened an almost indescribable
struggle occurred. in which all present
/ forgot the rules of holiness and stroNe
hard with push Of elbows and feet to
4 reach the interior of the sacred edihces
while on all sides were heard cries of
T
suited to the spot where notable re-
( Igious ceremony was about to begin
SPOILED GOWNS.
Once inside the cathedral the ladies'
who wore lace gowns found them to be
in a. much mutilatsd condition and some
of the women were carried away in "a
fafpting condition.
The tribunes we're soon crowded to
overlooking. and all the best standing
4 places were taken
A period of comparative calm sue
! ceeded this great rush, and the atten-
tion of the people was attracted to the
gilded throne near the high altar and to
the immense pillars of the basilica-
hung with red silken draperies. Some
Of the tribunes on each side Of the altar
were filled with men and women blazing
/ with decorations. In group Of royal
J Dersonages were the Crown Princess
4 Victoria of Sweden and Norway, ths
! Countess MathiIde of Trani Of the Bour-
! bon Naples family. the Grand Duchess
/ of Saxe-W eimar, Duke Robert of Par
ma. the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg.
the Prince of Iiechtenstein. the Prince
Macmillan Of SaXony-
In a special tribune was the pope's
family. the diplomatic corps and the
4 members of the Order of Malta. all IN
full uniform.
Special interest was shown in the in
nOVatiOn introduced by the uniforms OF
the different detachments of the papal
guards. The Swiss guard wore red vel
vet knee breaches. red silk stockings.
black shoes with red rOsettes, FURNISHED
/ steel cuirasses inlaid with gold, and
steel collars in addition to large, white
linen collars. starched stiff. falling over
their shoulders. The silver mounted
arms Of the Swiss guard We're also inlaio
with gold, and they wore steel helmets
with red ostrich Dlumes.
The noble guard wore their new uni-
I forms of bright red. After an hour of
very fatiguing waiting a majestic pro-
cession began to appear. It was, com
posed of the great dignitaries of the
/ church, the forty-five cardinals present.
gorgeous in their red robes. also making
a most imposing characteristic and pic
THE GREAT BELL RANG.
At II oclock 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 Tor 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 Dontiff appeared. The people
/ held their breath for moment and then
all Of the pent-uD enthusiasm burst
forth in a tremendous roar of welcome.
From his elevation on the new sedia
/ gestatoria carried by II men in costumes
fianked by famous Flabelli (spreading
4 feather tans) and surmounted by q
white and gold canopy, the pope appear
/ ed to be more than a human being. He
nod to he
sion being added to by pOntiff's white
robes and white mitre. delicate features.
face white as alabaster and his thin
hand moving slowly in benedictiou
As the sWeet-tOned. Well-trained voices
! Of the Sistine choir sang Tuas Petrus
4 thousands of voices shouted Long live
/ Pope Leoi" Handlzerchiefs futtered IN
the air. the banners of the various So
J cieties represented were waved, and
many Of those present. overcome with
emotion, sobbed loudly while others
tainted from excess Of feeling OF IA
| tiEue-
Meanwhile the pope proceeded slowly
on what seemed q carpet of heads, abb
sorbing the entire attention Of the vast
When the pope arrived at the throne
he KNELT AND PRAYED.
Leaving the sedia. the pontiff kneit and
! prayed and then rose without assistance.
/ donned the Falda and the new triple
/ crown and the celebration of the mass be-
At the moment of the elevation of the
host profound silence fell on the as
semblages. the guards presented arms. the
/ people knelt. If It was possible 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 re-
/ tired to a room for restoratives prepared
/ on purpose Addressing DR. Iappon. his
private physician. the poutif said.
'4oa see that after all your warnings.
! Continued on SIKH Page,9