The weekly Iberian., 1922-02-18
Plus XI IS CROWNED
amid ANCIENT POMP
Sixty Thousand People Wit
ness Ceremonies--Throng
Blessed by Pontiff.

Rome.-Pius XI was crowned pope
In the basilica of st. Peters Sunday
amid scenes, pomp and ceremony and
in the presence of dignitaries of the
church, the diplomatic representatives
Of foreign countries, members of the
Roman aristocracy and vast assem-
blage The ancient custom was car
ried out with impressive ceremonies
and Plus XI now occupies the throne
of the first pope reported crowned,
Leo III, who reigned from 1876 to SIG.
With the exception of Leo XIII ana
Benedict XIV, who, owing to the strain
ed relations existing between the Qul-
rinal and the Vatican in 1878, and the
world war in 1914, preferred to be
crowned in the Sistine Chapel. the
coronation of all popes elected since
the erection of the bascilca has been
celebrated there.
Plus XI again blessed the crowds
from the other balcony of st. Peters.
Nearly 100000 people cheered him.
It had been officially announced that
owing to the cold weather the pope
would not bless the crowds from the
outer balcony, but such was the In
sistence and warmth of the cheers,
lasting three-auarters of an hour, that
the pontiff finally decided to bless the
thrOng.
Previous to that 10000 gathered
within the edifice and cheered the
pope as Cardinal Lega placed upon his
head the tiara, emblem of supreme
sovereignty Old Romans who have
witnessed the coronation OF several
popes say that the enthusiastic recep-
ton accorded the present pope has
never been equaled in their memory.
Standing upon the throne directly
under the cupola of st. Peters, Mi
chaeI Angeles masterpiece, Plus XII,
with head adorned with the tiara, be-
slowed blessing upon those below in
which many races and many creeds
mingled.
A chaplain ordinary, wearing pur-
pie cape and escorted by Swiss guards,
bore the tiara on a velvet cushion.
The ieweler to the Vatican walked
along behind the tiara.
Then in order came ordinary chap
lains, carrying the precious mitre, two
apostolic couriers in violet colored
uniforms, the secret Camerieri, led by
Mgr. Enasalli- i-Rocca, the honor chap
lains and participants wearing purple
capes, the choir of the pontifical
chapel and the entire pontifical house
hold in multi-colored uniforms. includ-
ing the "Penitentiari' of st. Peter,
wearing white chasubles.
The ushers of the "red mass" Gus
todians of the papal cross, during the
ceremony were next in line with bish-
l~ops not attending the throne, arch
bishops and prelates from the Orient,
bishops and archbishops attending
the throne, cardinaldeacOns, cardinal
priests, cardinal-bishOps and Princes
Orosini and ColOnna, assistants to the
throne, following after.
Secret Camerieri of the cape and
sword led by Marquis Sacchttti and
the forager major and Palatine guards.
commanded by Baron Tabanelli. es-
corted the papal chair, which was
forms. Eight prelates carried the
canopy over the pontiffs head. Seated
on the papa1 chair, wearing q great
white cape embroidered with gold and
the precious mitre, the newly elected
pope blessed the worshipers who lined
the corridors of the Vatican and the
entrance of st. Peters. Surrounding
the chair with drawn swords were
Swiss guards commanded by Colonel
Hirschbuhl. Officers Of the nobel
guard and officials of the pontifical
court, with two huge Swiss guards,
closed the procession.
The pope appeared pale, Ill at ease
and nervous as he emerged from the
chapel of the holy sacrament, seated
high in the pontifical chair, but as the
ceremony proceeded his face became
flushed, beads of perspiration standing
out on his forehead. when few min
utes after midday Cardinal Lega, in
the absence of Cardinal Bisleti, dean
Of the cardinal deacons, placed the
marvelously jeweled tiara on the pont-
ifs head.
The special litany for the pope was
swung in which the reply to the invo-
cation of the name of every saint is
''tu illum adjuva," meaning thou as
sist him."
This was joined in by thousands.
The pope displayed emotion. Thus
| was crowned the pontiff, and the
bugles sounded the announcement that
. new pope reigned in Rome