Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-02-16
Again Appears on Balcony TO
Bless Multitude.
RITES IN ANCIENT SpLENOOR
Old Romans Say Enthusiastic Recep-
ton Accorded Pontiff Has Never
Been Equalied.

Rome. - Plus XI was crown
ed pope in the basilica of st. Peters
amid scenes of pomp and enthusiasm
and in the presence of princes and dig
natiries of the church, the diplomatic
members of the Roman aristocracy
and vast assemblage filing the great
structure to the very doors.
The ancient custom was carried out
with impressive ceremonies, and the
newly elected pontiff now occupies the
throne Of the first pope reported
crowned, Leo Ill, who reigned from
795 to SIG.
With the exception of Leo XII and
Benedict XIV, who, owing to the strain
ed relations between the quirinal and
the vatican in 1878, and because of
the world war, preferred to be crown
ed in the Sistine chapel, the corona
ton of all the popes elected since the
erection of the basilica has been cele-
brated here.
Plus XI again blessed the crowds
from the outer balcony Of st. Peters,
this time nearly 100000 people cheer
ing, Long live the pope" and wav-
ti-colored, and admission tickets to the
vatican that had failed to find them
room inside the great church.
1t had been officially announced that
sowing to the cold weather." the pope
would not bless the crowds from the
outer balcony, but such was the insist
ence and warmth of the cheers, lasting
three-quarters of an hour, that he de-
cided he must answer the call of his
children.
Thus it was long after one o'clock
in the afternoon when the holy father
appeared on the balcony, surrounded
by Cardinals Vanutelli, Gasparri, Mer-
cier and Bourne, and bestowed the
apostolic benediction, again waving his
hand as he disappeared into the in
terror of the basilica.
Previous to this the 10000 gathered
within the edifice, rising spontaneously
had cheered the holy father, as Car
dinal Lega placed on the pope's head
the tiara, emblem of supreme sover-
eighty.
The cheers continued for so long a
time that Plus was compelled to make
signs with his hands as if seeking
silence in order that the ceremony
might continue.
Old Romans, who had witnessed the
coronation of several Popes, say the
enthusiastic reception accorded the
present pope has never been equaled
in their memory
Goodwill sincerity and hope we're
the dominant emotions prevailing in
Rome as the new spiritual leader
among men was receiving the triple
crown with the magnificent ceremony
of the Roman Catholic church, but
with a tinge of the matter-of-fact and
business-like manner obtaining in the
world
Silver bugles of the sixteenth cen
fury announced the coronation, and
the red robes of the aged cardinals
mingling with the uniform of the
Swiss guards, recalled the middle ages,
but the crush of spectators at the
heavy bronze gates of formerly for
bidding vatican, revealed that some
thing was changed in .ome.
Sixty thousand persons were packed
in the noble and impressive basilion
of st. Peters, silent and leverential,
with one thought pervading all-that
the sanity old man within the vati-
can walls may yet enjoy that which
was the recreation of young Ratti of
Desio, climbing the Alpine mountains
of his native land.
Today he l. a prisoner within the
vatican walls, but tomorrow the hope
is freely expressed, he may be free to
mingle among the crowds of the COM
mon people h loves so we'll
The first message sent out broadcast
over the world by Pope Plus expressed
the wish for universal pacification. and
declared that while the Holy See
should not abandon any of the
churchs temporal prerogatives, a sat
isfactory arrangement, whereby the
vatican could rule spiritually only,
would be welcome.
Standing on the throne directly I'M
der the cupola of ST. Peters, Michael
Angeles masterpiece Plus XI, with
head adorned with the tiara, bestowed
the blessing n those below, in which
many races and many creeds mingled.
The Gregorian psalms and hymns of
JOY rendered by the choir were taken
up by the assemblage in Latin, in
which various accents, Anglo Saxon,
German, French and Scandinavian.
were noticeable.