The Washington herald., 1922-02-13
Triple Tiara Placed on
Pontiff's Brow as Peo-
pie Kneel i'm Prayer.
RECALLS GRANDEUR
OF MEDIAEVALISM
Clerical Robes MingIe
With Court Uniforms
At Ceremony.

magnificence Of the Middle Ages
the Eternal City acclaimed Plus xI
supreme pontin of the Homan Cath
Ollie Church today.
Rites began within the Vatican
early this morning. They continued
with increasing pomp until noon.
when the triple crown OF St Peter
was placed over the head OF the
new Bishop of Rome. The adula-
tion Of the church and people
reached its climax. His Holiness, al
the end almost was exhausted from
the strain.
Dawn of coronation day foand
streets s<- piazzas near St. Pc
ter's Cathedral swarnS1C with hu-
manity. Every conceivable kind Of
vehicle. every class Of people In
every fashion OF clerical and secu-
lar dress. pressed forward to the
gates in a colorfuI array. TO receIr.
the POpe's blessing when he as
sumed the throne
Mass Of Color.
Women in mantiIlas Of black
bareheaded and bsrefooted monks
In brown. white and black: nuns
with white head dresses; members
distinctive costumes. from the nam-
ing red gowns OF the Germans TO
the black and violet Of the Ameri-
cans: friars and priests. soldiers. c.
villains. state officials. and peas
ants. They jammed the concourss
in one Of the most inspiring public
spectacles seen in Rome
II was announced officially that
the Pope would not. as has some
times been done. bless the throncs
from the balcony Of ST. Peters. Yet
the mass of humanity stayed on aud
on, hoping that His Holiness would
change the order Of the ceremony.
Crowd Tee BIE.
Tickets for 10000 spectators had
been provided Fully 10000 more
forced their way into the gates
when they were thrown open stu
more thousands clamored for ad-
mission outside.
The interior of the basiIica where
the most impressive ceremonies OF
coronation were carried out was in
gala decoration. Beautiful tapes
| tries hung fnom the walls Silk
festoons were draped from the CELL
inEs.
Thousands of candles were before
every altar in the various chapcls.
Fulfilled was the declaration that
ST. Peters is the only temple in
Christendom fit for such a cere-
mony"
In the blazing light from the
chandeliers, the wonderful frescoes.
mosaics and marbles, the stucCo
gold ornaments of the interior
scintillated like millions of jewels.
Mobiles I'm Throng.
Diplomats and mobiles were in
full court reERlia. Their brilliant
uniforms contrasted with the more
sombre dress of priests and white
and scarlet robes of church digni-
| taries. This was a touch wholly
absent when Benedict Nv at the
outbreak of the European war.
| took the throne.
At $40 a. m. His Holiness. sur
rounded by members Of the noble
| guard. his household, and the
Sacred College, descended to the
Sacrament chapel from the papaI
apartments in the Vatican. Here.
because of the cold weather. the
first homage was rendered him In-
stead of in st. Gregory's chapel.
as has been customary.
Mounts PnPaI Throne.
Here the Pope descended rrow,
the Seda Gestatoria and mounted
the papal throne. He listened to
Cardinal Merry Del Walls address
Of felicitstion. At the conclusion.
1 the cardinal paid the first homage,
kissing the Pope's hand and foot.
His Holiness then embraced Car
dinal Del Val. Then members Of
the chapter kissed his foot and
knee. Other ranks of the hierarchy
kissed his feet e,
Pope Plus then entered the
nearby chapel. He bowed before
the exposed sacrament and then
mounted the royal chair once more.
Here cortege was formed
headed by the master Of ccre-
monies. Apostolic funcuonarieS
the choir Of the Sistine chapel,
ushers. penitentiaires. bishops and
archbishops and the cardinals were
in line. Pope Plus in his white
Il robe trimmed with gold, and weapsa
ing a mitre studded with precious
stones walked behind. A gorEeoUs
canopy was supported over his
head. This was carried by eight
members Of the Seguntura tribunal.
Comes Into Cathedral.
The cortege swung into the CEN
tral nave of the cathedral TO the
music OF the choir and silver trum-
peting.
The magnificent scene struck the
crowd strangely. For a moment IL
was silent. Then it burst into thun-
ders of spontaneous applause. The
people instinctively fell to their
knees as the pontiff passed. bless
ing the throng on either side.
Cries of Long Live the Pope and
I Italyr' burst from the crowd as
he neared the great throne. Re-
garded in some quarters as some
what regrettable. since there was
no precedent for IL, the linking OF
these two names was significant
Of the sentiment of the masses.
The second homage TO the new
pontir was performed in st. Greg
ory's chapel. Amid thunderous ap-
plause Cardinal VanutelIi kissed the
Pope's hand. Others followed IN
the rite in accordance with rank.
The procession formed once more
and passed to the central nave
Ovations Of the audience rcdoubIcd.
The crowd once more knelt while
the papal blessing was bestowed