Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1906-11-19
POPE PRAYS FOR
BOMB THROWER
Tremendous Explosion Shakes
St. Peters Cathedral at Rome
Attempt to Destroy BasiIiCa.
NO PERSON WAS INJURED BY 1T

Outrage Caused Panic to Congrega-
ton Celebrating Special Service at
High Altar of Largest Church Edi-
flee in the World-eBlieved to BE
an Attempt Upon the Life of Pope
Plus X-Pope Offered Prayer.
ROME, Nov. 19.-A bomb was ex-
ploded in st. Peters during the serv-
ices yesterday. The edifice was crowd
ed, and an indescribable scene of con-
fusion followed.
AS soon as the echoes of the tre-
mendous roar had ceased a canon
sought by reassuring words to quiet
the people, but in vain. They fled in
all directions, and number of women
tainted. Women and children scream
ed, and men tried to protect their
families in the crush. The church is
so large, however, that there was am
pie room for the crowd to scatter, and
no one was injured. No trace of the
perpetrator of the deed has been found.
Since st. Anacletus, who was Ordain-
ed by Peter himself. erected an oratory
in 30 A. D., on the site of the present
basilica to mark the spot where the
remains of st. Peter are buried, no
such dastardly occurrence is noted IN
the annals of the church.
The priests were celebrating the an
niversary of the dedication of the
basilca to st. Peter. and it was bounti-
fully decorated for the occasion. Holy
relics We're exposed, and large num-
Der of the faithful attended the serv-
ices. Cardinal Rampolla, formerly
papal secretary of state, WAS among
those present. He took part in the
service in the choir chapel. The last
mass had Just been concluded when
the explosion occurred, and only one
canon, who had not quite finished, re
mained at the altar of ST. Petronila
This altar is at the end of the right
aisle, and it was near here that the
bomb had been placed
AS the canon turned to bless the
communicates there was tremendous
roar which echoed through the lofty
arches of the immense dome like q
thunderclap. AT the same time dense
smoke spread throughout this portion
of the basilica. and u strong odor OF
gunpowder filled the air. Confusion
and panic at once seized the people
The canon at the altar tried to stem
the tide of fear. He shouted out, "DC
not be afraid, it is nothing; merely the
MONDAY gun" His words, however
had little effect. They We're refuteC
by the smoke and the pungent smell
Of powder, and the people continued
their headlong flight.
Chairs were overthrown, the panic
making the confusion more serious
Men and women fled, stumbling in al
directions, and the screams of children
and cries of anguish were heard Oh
all sides, and for few moments Il
seemed as If nothing could obviate &
grave disaster. The vast size of the
church, however, gave room for the
crowd to scatter, and at the end of {
few moments the people were surginl
toward the doors, excited and nervous
but orderly.
As soon as the smoke cleared away {
hasty examination showed that nobody
had been hurt in the crush, and fur
thermore no one had been wounded b.
the explosion. Calm was gradual,
restored, and people returned to view
the extent of the damage.
1t was discovered that the bomb hat
been placed under scaffolding whicl
had been erected to facilitate repair
to the roof exactly over the celebrate,
tomb of Clement XIII, by Canova
which consists of figure of the pop
and two lions and which is the mos
remarkable piece of sculpture in th
basilica. This tomb ranks among tn
finest efforts of modern sculpture ant
by it's execution Canova established
his reputation. When the first gend
armes reached the spot the scaffoldini
was found to be smouldering, but thi
! fire was easily extinguished. The toni
| was found to be absolutely uninJured
and even the pavement shows scarce
sly any signs of the explosion. An ex
animation OF the remains of the bom'
leads to the supposition, unless 1t wa
crudely prepared on purpose to mis-
| lead. that it was manufactured in tn
! country and brought into Rome. 1t !
believed that the bomb had a yer.
long fuse in order to enable the Grim
inal to gain the piazza before the eS
plosion. 1t has been impossible t
trace him.
The pope was engaged in his regl
lar noon hour devotions when til
bomb went off He heard a muffie
sound which surprised but did ne
alarm him. Mgr. Misciatelli, subpr,
feet of the apostolic palaces, and Mg
Bisleti majordomo of the Vatican, {
onces hnriiedly entered the nontiff
chamber. The were so pal, that I,
i1AQI . AllAlis ) = :.
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