The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-15
POPE Plus Xl
CROWNED IN
ST. PETERS
Sixty Thousand Spec
tators Witnes S e q
the Ceremony in the
B asilica- 10000
Gathered Outside

today amid scenes OF pOlNI' dllu ei-
thusiasm and in the presence OF
princes and dignitaries of the
church. the diplomatic representa-
tiyes of foreign countries. members
of the Roman aristocracy and
vast resemblance filling the great
structure to tie very doors. The
ancient custom was carried out With
impressive ceremonies and the new
ly elected pontiff now occupies the
throne OF the first pope reported
crowned. Leo III. who reigned
from 795 to SIG.
With the exception of Leo NH
and Benedict XIV, who owing to the
strained relations existing between
the quirinal and the vatican in 1878
and the World War in 1914. pre-
ferred to be crowned in the sistine
chapel, the coronation OF all the
popes elected since the erection Of
the basilica has Len celebrated
there.
Plus XI again blessed the crowds
from the outer balcony OF ST. Pc
ter's, this time nearly 10000 pco-
pie cheering Long live the pope
and waving handkerchiefs and ad-
mission tickets to the vatican which
had failed to find them room in
side the great church.
1t had been announced that
owing to the co'd weather" the
pope would not bless the crowds
from the outer balcony, but such
was the insistence and warmth Of
the cheers. lasting three-quarterS
of An hour. that the pontiff finally
decided he must answer the call.
Thus it was long after ] o'clock
in the afternoon. when the holy
father appeared on the balcony.
surrounded by Cardinals Vanutelli,
Casparri, Mercier and Bourne. and
bestowed the apostolic benetliction.
again giving the familiar little
shake Of the hand as he disappear
co into the interior OF the basilica.
Previous to this 10000 gathered
within the edifice and rising spon-
taneouSly. had cheered the holy
father as Cardinal Lega placed
upon the popc's head the tiara. en-
blem OF supreme sovereignty. The
cheers continued for so long q
time that Plus was compelled to
make signs with his hands as if
seeking silence in order that the
ceremony might continue. Old to-
mans who had witnessed the coro-
nations of several ropes say that
the enthusiastic reception accorded
the present pope has never been
eQualled in their memory.
Good will, sincerity and hope
were the dominant emotions pre-
vailing in Rome as the new spir-
itual leader was receiving the triple
crown with the magnificent cere-
monies Of the Roman Catholic
church. but with tfnge OF the mat
ter Of fact and husiness-likc man
ner obtaining in the world today.
Silver bugleS of the 10th century
announced the coronation and the
red robes OF the aged cardinals,
minglinS with the uniform Of the
Swiss guards. recalled the middle
ages, but the crush Of spectator
at the heavy bronze gates Of Il
formerly forbidden vatican reveal
ed that something vas changed in
Rome.
Sixty thousand persons were
packed in the noble and impressive
basilica Of st. Peters. silent and
reverential. with one thought per-
vading all--that the sanity old man
within the vatic>o walls may yet
enjoy that which was the rccrca-
tions OF young Ratti of Desio
climbing the Alpine mountains OF
his native land. Today he is q
prisoner within tie vatican walls.
but tomorrow. the hope is freely
expressed. he may be free to mingle
among the crowds of the common
people he loves so well.
The lirS: message sent ont broad
cast ever the world by Pope Plus
expressed the wish for universal
pacilication and declared that while
the holy see should not abandon
any OF the church'S temporal pre-
roSatlvcS. 4 satisfactory arrange
ment whereby the vatican could
rule spiritually only would be well
coined.
Standing upon the throne Cir, ct :
ir under the cupola OF St Pc
tcr's. Michael Angelo 5 masterpiece,
Plus NJ. with head adorned with
the tiara bestowed the blessing up
on those below. in which many
races and many crecds mingled.
The Grcgori;n psalms and hymns of
JOY rendered by the choir We're
taken up by the aSsemblaGe in
Latin in which various accents.
Anslo-StXon. German. French and
Scandinavian, We're noticeable.
Seated in the p:pal chair. wear
ing great white cape embroidered
With gold and the precious nitro.
the newly elected pope hlcSsc,! the
worshippcrs who lined The cor
ridors Of the vatican and HE en-
frances Of st. Peters. Surrounding
the chair With drawn swords wrr"
Swiss guards. Offices Of the n"hlc
guard and officials OF thu. p"ntilieal
court with two huge Swiss guards.
closed the procession.
The crush inside The baSi!ic;i
was terrific. MANY women faii,tiil,
these were carried 10 The rner-
ecncy hospital installed in Il .;ma i
chanel 10 the rear of ST Peter'S