The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-13
ANCIENT CUSTOM
Is CARRIED OUT
BY CEREMONIES
Newly Elected Pontiff Now Oc-
cupies the Throne of the First
Pope Crowned Leo Ill.
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND .
UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY
Wave Handkerchiefs and Cheer
LustiIy as They Are Blessed
by Plus XI.
lax Ths AssocIated Pressl

ROME Feb. 10. Plus kI. was
crowned pope in the basilica of st. Pc
ter's today amid scenes of pomp and
enthusiasm and in the presence OF
princes and dignitaries Of the church,
the diplomatic representatives of for
eign countries, members of the Roman
aristocracy and a vast assernblage fill
ing the great structure to the very
doors. The ancient custom was car
ried out with impressive ceremonies,
and the newly elected pontiff now oc-
,cupies the throne of the first pope re-
ported crowned, Leo III, who reigned
from 795 10 SIG.
with the exception of Leo XIII. and
Benedict XIV, who, owing to the
strained relations existing between the
quirinal and the vatican in 1878 and
the World war in 1914. preferred to be
crowned in the Sistine chapel, the COR
onation Of all the popes elected since
the erection OF a basilica has been
celebrated there.
Plus XII again blessed the crowds
from the outer balcony of st. Peters.
this time nearly 100000 people cheer
ing long live the pope!" and waving
handkerchiefs and admission tickets to
tho vatican which had failed to find
, them room inside the great church.
1t had been announced that, owing
to the cold 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
pontifg finally decided he must answer
the call.
Thus it was long after 1 o'clock in
the afternoon when the Holy Father
appeared on the balcony, surrounded
by Cardinals Vanutelli, Gaspari, Mer-
cier and Bourne, and bestowed the
apostolic benediction again, waving
the familiar little shake of the hand as
he disappeared into the interior of the
basilica.
Previous to this, 10000 gathered
within the edifice. rising spontaneous
iy, had cheered the Holy Father as
Cardinal Lega placed upon the pope's
head the tiara, emblem of supreme
sovereignty. The cheers continued for
so long time that Plus was compelled
TO make signs with his hands as if
seeking silence in order that the cere-
mony might continue. Old Romans
who had witnessed the coronation OF
several popes. say that the enthusias-
tic reception accorded the present pope
has never been equalled in their mem
ory.
Good win, sincerity and hope were
tho dominant emotions prevailing in
Rome as the new spiritual leader was
receiving the triple crown with the
magnificent ceremony of the Roman
Cathalic church, but with a tinge of
the matter of fact and business like
manner obtaining in the world today
silver bugles of the sixteenth century
announced the coronation. and the red
robes OF the aged cordinals, mingling
with the uniforms OF the Swiss guards
recalled the middle ages, but the crush
of spectators at the heavy bronze
gates OF formerly forbidding vatican
revealed that something was changed
IN Rome.
Sixty thousand persons were packed
in the noble and impressive basilica of
ST. Peters, silent and reverential, with
one thought pcrvading all--that the
I sanity old man within the vatican
walls may yet enjoy that which was
the recreation of young Ratti, of De-
sio, climbing the Alpine mountains of
his native land. Today he is a pris-
oner within the 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 first message sent out broad
cast over the world by Pope Plus ex-
pressed the wish for universal pacifi-
cation and declared that while the
Holy See should not abandon any of
the church's temporal prerogatives. a
satisfactory arrangement whereby the
vatican could rule spiritually only
would be welcomed.
Standing upon the throne directly
under the cupoia OF st. Peters. Nil
chael Angeles masterpiece. Plus XII.
with head adorned with the tiara. be-
slowed the blessing upon those below.
In which many races and many creeds
mingled, The Gregorian psalms and
tcontnusd on Page q,